Christianity
Proverbs 9Two Banquets
Summary
Proverbs 9 closes the opening section with two rival invitations. Wisdom has built her house with seven pillars, prepared meat and mixed wine, and sends her maidens to call the simple to eat and live. A short middle section notes that correcting a scoffer brings abuse, while a wise person loves rebuke. Then the foolish woman, loud and ignorant, sits at her door calling the same passersby, promising that stolen waters are sweet, but her guests are in the depths of the grave.
Key verse
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
Themes
- Invitation
- Choice
- Teachability
- Folly
Text
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Buddhism
Dhammapada 76 to 89: The WiseThe Dhammapada's chapter on the wise advises treating one who points out your faults like a guide to hidden treasure. Proverbs 9:8 to 9 makes a similar point: rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Christianity
Luke 14: The Great SupperIn Jesus' parable in Luke 14:16 to 24, a host sends his servant to invite guests to a great supper and then gathers the poor from the streets, an invitation scene many compare to Wisdom's banquet.
Questions about Proverbs 9
What are the seven pillars of wisdom?
Proverbs 9:1 says Wisdom has hewn out her seven pillars but does not list them. Interpreters have proposed many meanings, and seven likely signals completeness and a well-built house.
What does stolen waters are sweet mean?
In Proverbs 9:17 the foolish woman claims forbidden pleasures taste better because they are secret. Verse 18 answers that her guests end in the depths of hell.