Proverbs 9 (Listen)
9:1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Devotional:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10 CSB).
This chapter emphasizes wisdom’s feast and folly’s end and gives key insights and reminders of wisdom that we see throughout Proverbs.
Fear of the LORD: This is a real fear, in the sense of awe and reverence. This fear honors God as He really is — holy, just, and Creator of all. It is not a cowering fear, but the kind of fear that instills honor, respect, and a total awestruck reverence.
The beginning of wisdom: Wisdom has a starting place, and it is in the recognition and honor of God. This means those who do not recognize or honor God fall short of true wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One: This includes the Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Pray it: Lord, let me not forget who you are and what you have done in making available such a precious gift of wisdom. May I continue to abound in Your Word and grow in my understanding of you so I can walk in wisdom and point others to the wisdom found in you. Amen
Share it: Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with today?