Proverbs 9 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Wisdom and folly (9:1–18)

• Wisdom invites naive people to a meal (9:1–6)
• Wise men become wiser but mockers will suffer (9:7–12)
• Folly invites people to her house (9:13–18)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Wisdom calls out

In this chapter, as in the previous chapter, wisdom is referred to as if it were a woman who prepares a meal and calls out for all to come and learn from her. When wisdom speaks in 9:4–12, the notes will use the proper noun “Wisdom” to indicate that the personification of wisdom is speaking. In languages where it is possible for something like wisdom to be spoken of as if it were a person who speaks, the translator should translate in this way. However, if direct translation is not possible in your language, you may translate the personification as similes instead. In that case, wisdom would be presented as being like a wise woman. See how you translated similar references to wisdom in 1:20–33 and 8:4–36. (See: figs-personification)