Proverbs 9:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,

NIV: "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says,

NASB: 'Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!' To him who lacks understanding she says,

CSB: "Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says,

NLT: 'Come in with me,' she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

KJV: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

NKJV: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

Wisdom, in the symbolic form of a wealthy woman (Proverbs 9:1–3), invites the gullible and senseless to come into her home (Proverbs 8:1–4). Scripture does not assume that people must be wise and discerning before they come to God. In fact, the Bible notes that true wisdom starts with submission to God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Those who seek God can improve their knowledge and ability to live according to truth (Proverbs 8:5).

Before trusting in Jesus as Savior, many whom Jesus invited were gullible and lacked good sense. Broadly speaking, those who do not know Christ are more susceptible to the Devil and his lies (1 Corinthians 2:14). The apostle Paul recalls that sad situation in his letter to the Ephesians. He writes, "you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:1–2).

Writing to the Corinthians, Paul likewise stated, "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God" (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).

Proverbs 9:1–6 continues from chapter 8 by depicting wisdom as a woman. Here, she is a refined lady who has built a grand house and prepared a lavish feast. She calls out everywhere for those who are simple and lack judgment to participate as guests at her feast. This passage begins the chapter on a positive note, but a negative tone quickly follows. Foolishness, also depicted as a woman, will make similar invitations to those who lack sense.

Wisdom is portrayed as a dignified woman who prepares a spacious house and feast. She invites those who are gullible and lacking judgment to improve their wisdom, by accepting her invitation. She urges invitees to abandon their simple ways and walk in the way of insight. Solomon then contrasts the attitudes of those who sincerely seek truth, compared to those who hate being corrected. The chapter ends with a description of Wisdom's mirror image: Folly. She is seductive and ignorant. She invites the gullible to enter her house, promising that immorality is enjoyable and pleasant. Sadly, those who are seduced do not realize her invitation leads to ruin and damnation.

In chapter 7, Solomon portrayed an evil woman (Proverbs 7:7–27). In chapter 8 he portrays wisdom as a refined lady who offers instruction to all who heed her call. Chapter 9 contrasts Lady Wisdom with the evil Woman Folly, who lures the foolish to their ruin. This extended warning about the dangers of rejecting God's wisdom leads into an extended collection of standalone proverbial comments, beginning in chapter 10.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.