Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up[1] its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, 5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

Other Translations of Proverbs 9:1-5

King James Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; her beasts: Heb. her killing she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

English Standard Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 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.

The Message

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers. 2 The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. 3 Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: 4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! 5 I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.

New King James Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

New Living Translation

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 "Come in with me," she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5 "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 9:1-5

Commentary on Proverbs 9:1-12

(Read Proverbs 9:1-12)

Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.