Invitations of Wisdom and Folly Ch 9
A Proverbs 9 weaving
This is a Proverbs 9 rewrite with other parts of scripture inserted throughout. For these passages to relate to one another, I’ve had to change some words. Verb tense changes and pronoun changes are not noted throughout, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.
Note: This is the last chapter before Solomon’s proverbs start in chapter 10. I think this indicates that the metaphors of Lady Wisdom and Adulterous Folly stop here. This 9th chapter seems to give some concluding advice about those who receive wisdom and those who reject wisdom. Fools are unteachable. They refuse rebuke and correction and thus become dumb, deaf, and blind. They return to dust as the curse says. On the other hand, those who are wise are teachable, living forever.
I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I plan to release these one chapter every Sunday: Chapters 1-9, 30-31. Click the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links will be available at the end once released.
Proverbs Chapter 9
Wisdom has built her house. She has set up its seven pillars1 from the sevenfold Spirit before [God’s] throne.2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine. She has also set her table3 . . . taking oil in jars along with [her] lamps.4 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city.
“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food.5 . . .[For] I am the bread of life.6 And drink the wine I have mixed.7 This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.8 Leave your simple ways and you will live. Walk in the way of insight,9 the Way of Holiness.10. . . [For] I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”11
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults. Whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.12 [They will say,] “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? [Who does he think we are?] . . . Children [just] weaned from their milk . . .[like] those just taken from the breast?”13
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you. Rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still,14 learning in quietness and full submission.15 Teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you are a mocker16, given the mind of an animal,17 you alone will suffer.18 Though seeing, you will not see. Though hearing, you will not hear or understand. . . .You will be ever hearing but never understanding. You will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”19
Folly is an unruly woman. She is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense, she says, “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is delicious!20 …The fruit of [this] tree is good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom. . . . Take some and eat it. . . . Give some to [those] . . . with you, and . . . then the eyes of both of you will be opened.”21
But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead,22 returning to the ground, since from it they were taken. For dust they are and to dust they will return.”23
Proverbs 9:1
Revelation 1:4d or seven spirits
Proverbs 9:2
Matthew 25:4
Proverbs 9:3-5a
John 6:35a
Proverbs 9:5b
Luke 22:20 b-c
Proverbs 9:6
Isaiah 35:8b
John 14:6a
Proverbs 9:7
Isaiah 28:9
Proverbs 9:8-9a
1 Timothy 2:11 b
Proverbs 9:9b-12b
Daniel 5:21b
Proverbs 9:12c
Matthew 13:13-14
Proverbs 9:13-17
Genesis 3:6-7a
Proverbs 9:18
Genesis 3:19b-c
Very good!