CHAPTER 9 Mar. 30 
Wisdom and Foolishness Both Invite Us
Wisdom has built her house, she has carved out her seven pillars, 2she has prepared her bread, she has mixed her wine. She has also set her table, 3she has sent out her maidens, she cries from the highest places of the city: 4Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 5Come, eat some of my bread, drink some of the wine which I have mixed! 6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.  7He who corrects a mocker invites insult; he who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. 8Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you; 9instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased. 12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.  13The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing. 14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, 16Whoever is simple, let him turn in here. As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 17Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant. 18But he doesn’t know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. 

Commentary

 9:1 In this chapter we have a classic example of where something abstract- like wisdom- is personified. Personification is widely used in the New Testament, where abstract things like sin and God’s power, the Holy Spirit, are spoken of as persons even though they aren’t.
9:5 An invitation to bread and wine represents fellowship together. The bread and wine of the communion service likewise speak of our fellowship with God and His Son, and our willingness to learn of them.
9:7-9 These verses appear to be the advice of wisdom to her young women who preach her message (:3). We begin the whole enterprise of sharing wisdom with the recognition that we are likely to be rejected and abused by some who hear our message. Wisdom is calling to everyone, it’s not that she advises her preachers to ignore people they consider wicked. But she warns her representatives ahead of time that they can expect rejection and hurt as a result of their work.
9:8 An ability to take criticism is required if we are to become wise. But as people increasingly withdrawn within themselves in modern society, this is a characteristic increasingly rarely seen.