New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 9
4
She says, "Let all who are childish come in here!" She speaks to those who have no sense.
Reference
6
Leave your childish ways and you will live. Walk in the way that leads to understanding.
Reference
7
"When you correct someone who makes fun of others, you might be laughed at. When you warn a sinner, you might get hurt.
Reference
8
Don't warn those who make fun of others. They will hate you. Warn those who are wise. They will love you.
Reference
9
Teach a wise man. He will become even wiser. Teach a person who does right. He will learn even more.
Reference
10
"If you really want to become wise, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding.
Reference
Holy
Proverbs 30:3
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 12:13
John 17:3
1 John 5:20
Matthew 11:27
References Lord
Psalm 111:10
Job 28:28
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 2:5
1 Chronicles 28:9
12
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you make fun of others, you alone will suffer."
Reference
13
The woman called Foolishness is loud. She doesn't control herself. She doesn't know anything.
Reference
14
She sits at the door of her house. She sits at the highest point of the city.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 9:3
15
She calls out to those who pass by. She calls out to those who go straight on their way.
16
She says, "Let all who are childish come in here!" She speaks to those who have no sense.
Summary of Proverbs 9
The central message of Proverbs 9 is that life continually places two voices before us: one calling us toward wisdom, understanding, correction, and life, and another offering easy or secret pleasure that ultimately leads toward destruction.
The chapter therefore asks the reader to look beyond the invitation itself.
Do not only ask:
"What is being offered?"
Ask:
"Where does this path lead?"
Wisdom teaches people to think about the destination before accepting the invitation.
In simple terms, Proverbs 9 teaches:
Choose wisdom even when foolishness looks more attractive. Accept correction, respect God, leave destructive ways behind, and remember that an appealing invitation can hide a dangerous destination. The wise person does not judge a path only by what it promises at the beginning; he considers where it will ultimately lead.
The chapter therefore asks the reader to look beyond the invitation itself.
Do not only ask:
"What is being offered?"
Ask:
"Where does this path lead?"
Wisdom teaches people to think about the destination before accepting the invitation.
In simple terms, Proverbs 9 teaches:
Choose wisdom even when foolishness looks more attractive. Accept correction, respect God, leave destructive ways behind, and remember that an appealing invitation can hide a dangerous destination. The wise person does not judge a path only by what it promises at the beginning; he considers where it will ultimately lead.