Chapter 9 is the conclusion of the first book that became part of the compilation now known as proverbs. Up until now wisdom has been personified as a woman. The figure of the married seductress was not explicitly labeled as folly, but perhaps that was the author's intent. In any case, a female personification of folly appears here. Both are presented as hostesses, but the language is highly figurative, so the intent of the author is often unclear and translations differ enormously. From Wikipedia:
Whatever. Again, there really isn't any content here. Wisdom good, folly bad. How to tell which is which, we are not enlightened. Anyway, the next chapter introduces a new book, which I'll discuss next time. I should note, however, that the masoretic scholars considered excluding Proverbs from the canon, partly because it is riddled with direct contradictions, and partly because much of it has purely secular content. The (fictitious) ascription to Solomon is probably the only reason this is in the Bible.
- A foolish woman is clamorous;
- she is simple, and knows nothing.[19]
Like Wisdom in the previous chapter, Folly is also personified as a character, called "Dame Folly" in the Jerusalem Bible, "the woman called Folly" in the New English Translation.[20]
- In different languages, this verse is rendered as follows:[21]
- The Hebrew Masoretic Text reads "The foolish woman is boisterous, simplicity, and knows not what." and the Targum translates it, “a foolish woman and a gadabout, ignorant, and she knows not good.”
- The Greek Septuagint reads "A foolish and impudent woman comes to lack a morsel, she who knows not shame."
- The Syriac version has "a woman lacking in discretion, seductive"
- The Latin Vulgate has, "a woman foolish and noisy, and full of wiles, and knowing nothing at all."[21]
- "Clamorous": or "boisterous"[22] or close to “riotous”.[23]
- "Simple" or "full of simpleness",[24] from a Hebrew noun meaning “foolishness”.[25]
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up[a] 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.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
- Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
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