1.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
1. house—(compare ).
her—or, "its"
(the house).
seven pillars—the
number seven for many, or a sufficiency ().
2.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
2. mingled—to enhance the
flavor (Proverbs 23:30; Isaiah 5:22).
furnished—literally,
"set out," "arranged."
3.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
3. maidens—servants to invite
(compare Psalms 68:11; Isaiah 40:9).
highest places—ridges
of heights, conspicuous places.
4.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
4-6. (Compare Proverbs 1:4;
Proverbs 6:32). Wisdom not only
supplies right but forbids wrong principles.
5.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
7, 8. shame—(Compare ).
a blot—or, "stain
on character." Both terms denote the evil done by others to one
whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love.
8.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
9. The more a wise man learns,
the more he loves wisdom.
10.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
10. (Compare ).
of the holy—literally,
"holies," persons or things, or both. This knowledge gives
right perception.
11.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
11. (Compare Proverbs 3:16-18;
Proverbs 4:10).
12.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
12. You are mainly concerned in
your own conduct.
13.
A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
13. foolish woman—or
literally, "woman of folly," specially manifested by such
as are described.
clamorous—or, "noisy"
(Proverbs 7:11).
knoweth nothing—literally,
"knoweth not what," that is, is right and proper.
14.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
14. on a seat—literally,
"throne," takes a prominent place, impudently and
haughtily.
15.
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
15, 16. to allure those who are
right-minded, and who are addressed as in , as
simple—that is, easily
led (Proverbs 1:4) and unsettled,
though willing to do right.
16.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17.
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
17. The language of a proverb,
meaning that forbidden delights are sweet and pleasant, as fruits of
risk and danger.
18.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
18. (Compare Proverbs 2:18;
Proverbs 2:19; Proverbs 7:27).