Proverbs 9:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

NIV: Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

NASB: Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser; Teach a righteous person and he will increase his insight.

CSB: Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more.

NLT: Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

KJV: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

NKJV: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Solomon affirms that a person who sincerely seeks truth—the "wise" man—cooperates with correction and will become even wiser. Furthermore, those who seek to be godly, or righteous, will respond positively to your knowledge. They will improve their own wisdom by considering yours. This is in direct contrast to the arrogance of those who hate being corrected, who respond to wisdom with venom and evil (Proverbs 9:7–8).

The Christian life is not static; it is dynamic, A believer will never reach a point where they have no need for additional wisdom or further learning. The Bible challenges believers to build on their faith and to grow their knowledge of the Lord. In 2 Peter 1:5–7 the apostle Peter admonishes: "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." He concludes 2 Peter by writing: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

Even the apostle Paul, among the most wise and experienced of Christians, writes: "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13–14).

Proverbs 9:7–12 bridges the other two sections of this chapter. The first depicts Wisdom as a generous, benevolent woman calling on others to respond to her invitation and live (Proverbs 9:1–6). The last segment portrays Wisdom's mirror image, Folly, who entices others with lies and deception, leading to their death. In this section of Proverbs 9, Solomon describes what is at stake in the decision between these two proverbial women. This also notes the inherent difference between those who sincerely seek wisdom, versus those who can only stand to be told what they want to hear.

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.