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Listen to Proverbs 9 with verse-by-verse audio highlighting.

Read Proverbs 9 in modern English — World English Bible (18 verses)

The player above streams this page’s licensed translation, and its text loads in the interactive reader. For reading and comparison, here is the same chapter in the public-domain World English Bible (WEB):

1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

8 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Listen to Proverbs 9 in the WEB →

Study tools for Proverbs 9

Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Proverbs 9. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.

Proverbs 9 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 16 cross-references, 5 Early-Church citations.

Cross-references in Proverbs 9 (16)

See the full cross-reference index →

Hebrew interlinear — Proverbs 9:1–18 (125 words)
1
  1. חָ֭כְמוֹתḥākĕmôtchokmowth: wisdomH2454
  2. בָּנְתָ֣הbontâbanah: to build (literally and figuratively)H1129
  3. בֵיתָ֑הּbêtāhbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
  4. חָצְבָ֖הḥoṣbâchatsab: to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material)H2672
  5. עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָʿammûdêhā`ammuwd: a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platformH5982
  6. שִׁבְעָֽה׃šibʿâsheba`: a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one)H7651
2
  1. טָבְחָ֣הṭobḥâtabach: to slaughter (animals or men)H2873
  2. טִ֭בְחָהּṭibḥohtebach: (properly) something slaughtered; (hence) a beast (or meat, as butchered)H2874
  3. מָסְכָ֣הmoskâmacak: to mix, especially wine (with spices)H4537
  4. יֵינָ֑הּyênāhyayin: wine (as fermented); (by implication) intoxicationH3196
  5. אַ֝֗ףʾapaph: meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction)H637
  6. עָֽרְכָ֥הʿārĕkâ`arak: to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)H6186
  7. שֻׁלְחָנָֽהּ׃šulḥānāhshulchan: a table (as spread out); (by implication) a mealH7979
3
  1. שָֽׁלְחָ֣הšālĕḥâshalach: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)H7971
  2. נַעֲרֹתֶ֣יהָnaʿărōtêhāna`arah: a girl (from infancy to adolescence)H5291
  3. תִקְרָ֑אtiqrāʾqara': to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)H7121
  4. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  5. גַּ֝פֵּ֗יgappêgaph: the back; by extensive the body or selfH1610
  6. מְרֹ֣מֵיmĕrōmêmarowm: altitude; (concretely) an elevated placeH4791
  7. קָֽרֶת׃qāretqereth: a cityH7176
4
  1. מִיmîmiy: who?; (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things) which?H4310
  2. פֶ֭תִיpetîpthiy: silly (i.e. seducible)H6612
  3. יָסֻ֣רyāsurcuwr: to turn off (literal or figurative)H5493
  4. הֵ֑נָּהhēnnâhennah: hither or thither (but used both of place and time)H2008
  5. חֲסַרḥăsarchacer: lacking; (hence) withoutH2638
  6. לֵ֝֗בlēbleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  7. אָ֣מְרָהʾāmĕrâamar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
5
  1. לְ֭כוּlĕkûhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
  2. לַחֲמ֣וּlaḥămûlacham: to feed on; (figuratively) to consumeH3898
  3. בְֽלַחֲמִ֑יbĕlaḥămîlechem: food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)H3899
  4. וּ֝שְׁת֗וּûšĕtûshathah: to imbibe (literally or figuratively)H8354
  5. בְּיַ֣יִןbĕyayinyayin: wine (as fermented); (by implication) intoxicationH3196
  6. מָסָֽכְתִּי׃māsākĕttîmacak: to mix, especially wine (with spices)H4537
6
  1. עִזְב֣וּʿizbû`azab: to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etcH5800
  2. פְתָאיִ֣םpĕtāʾyimpthiy: silly (i.e. seducible)H6612
  3. וִֽחְי֑וּwiḥĕyûchayah: to live, whether literally or figurativelyH2421
  4. וְ֝אִשְׁר֗וּwĕʾišrûashar: to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy)H833
  5. בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbĕderekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  6. בִּינָֽה׃bînâbiynah: understandingH998
7
  1. יֹ֤סֵ֨ר׀yōsēryacar: to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words)H3256
  2. לֵ֗ץlēṣluwts: (properly) to make mouths at, i.e. to scoffH3887
  3. לֹקֵ֣חַֽlōqēḥalaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
  4. ל֣וֹlô
  5. קָל֑וֹןqālônqalown: disgrace; (by implication) the pudendaH7036
  6. וּמוֹכִ֖יחַûmôkîaḥyakach: to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argueH3198
  7. לְרָשָׁ֣עlĕrāšāʿrasha`: morally wrong; (concretely) an (actively) bad personH7563
  8. מוּמֽוֹ׃mûmôm'uwm: (physically or morally) a blemishH3971
8
  1. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  2. תּ֣וֹכַחtôkaḥyakach: to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argueH3198
  3. לֵ֭ץlēṣluwts: (properly) to make mouths at, i.e. to scoffH3887
  4. פֶּןpenpen: (properly) removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lestH6435
  5. יִשְׂנָאֶ֑ךָּyiśnāʾekkāsane': to hate (personally)H8130
  6. הוֹכַ֥חhôkaḥyakach: to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argueH3198
  7. לְ֝חָכָ֗םlĕḥākāmchakam: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)H2450
  8. וְיֶאֱהָבֶֽךָּ׃wĕyeʾĕhābekkāahab: to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)H157
9
  1. תֵּ֣ןtēnnathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
  2. לְ֭חָכָםlĕḥākomchakam: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)H2450
  3. וְיֶחְכַּםwĕyeḥkamchakam: X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiserH2449
  4. ע֑וֹדʿôd`owd: (properly) iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly...H5750
  5. הוֹדַ֥עhôdaʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  6. לְ֝צַדִּ֗יקlĕṣaddîqtsaddiyq: justH6662
  7. וְי֣וֹסֶףwĕyôsepyacaph: to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)H3254
  8. לֶֽקַח׃leqaḥleqach: (properly) something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer)H3948
10
  1. תְּחִלַּ֣תtĕḥillattchillah: a commencement; rel. original (adverb, -ly)H8462
  2. חָ֭כְמָהḥākĕmâchokmah: wisdom (in a good sense)H2451
  3. יִרְאַ֣תyirʾatyir'ah: fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverenceH3374
  4. יְהוָ֑הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
  5. וְדַ֖עַתwĕdaʿatda`ath: knowledgeH1847
  6. קְדֹשִׁ֣יםqĕdōšîmqadowsh: sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) GodH6918
  7. בִּינָֽה׃bînâbiynah: understandingH998
11
  1. כִּיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. בִ֭יbî
  3. יִרְבּ֣וּyirbûrabah: to increase (in whatever respect)H7235
  4. יָמֶ֑יךָyāmêkāyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
  5. וְיוֹסִ֥יפוּwĕyôsîpûyacaph: to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)H3254
  6. לְּ֝ךָ֗lĕkā
  7. שְׁנ֣וֹתšĕnôtshaneh: a year (as a revolution of time)H8141
  8. חַיִּֽים׃ḥayyîmchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
12
  1. אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  2. חָ֭כַמְתָּḥākamtāchakam: X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiserH2449
  3. חָכַ֣מְתָּḥākamtāchakam: X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiserH2449
  4. לָּ֑ךְlāk
  5. וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּwĕlaṣtāluwts: (properly) to make mouths at, i.e. to scoffH3887
  6. לְֽבַדְּךָ֥lĕbaddĕkābad: (properly) separation; (by implication) a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carryingH905
  7. תִשָּֽׂא׃tiśśāʾnasa': to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows)H5375
13
  1. אֵ֣שֶׁתʾēšetishshah: irregular plural, nashiym {naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as H0582)H802
  2. כְּ֭סִילוּתkĕsîlûtkciyluwth: sillinessH3687
  3. הֹֽמִיָּ֑הhōmiyyâhamah: to make a loud sound like Engl. "hum"); (by implication) to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan...H1993
  4. פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּתpĕtayyûtpthayuwth: silliness (i.e. seducibility)H6615
  5. וּבַלûbalbal: (properly) a failure; (by implication) nothingH1077
  6. יָ֥דְעָהyādĕʿâyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  7. מָּֽה׃mâmah: (properly, interrogative) what? (including how? why? when?)H4100
14
  1. וְֽ֭יָשְׁבָהwĕyošbâyashab: (properly) to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet)H3427
  2. לְפֶ֣תַחlĕpetaḥpethach: an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance wayH6607
  3. בֵּיתָ֑הּbêtāhbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
  4. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  5. כִּ֝סֵּ֗אkissēʾkicce': (properly) covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)H3678
  6. מְרֹ֣מֵיmĕrōmêmarowm: altitude; (concretely) an elevated placeH4791
  7. קָֽרֶת׃qāretqereth: a cityH7176
15
  1. לִקְרֹ֥אliqrōʾqara': to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)H7121
  2. לְעֹֽבְרֵיlĕʿōbĕrê`abar: to cross overH5674
  3. דָ֑רֶךְdārekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  4. הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗יםhamyaššĕrîmyashar: to be straight or even; (figuratively) to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperousH3474
  5. אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם׃ʾōrĕḥôtāmorach: (literally or figuratively) a well-trodden roadH734
16
  1. מִיmîmiy: who?; (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things) which?H4310
  2. פֶ֭תִיpetîpthiy: silly (i.e. seducible)H6612
  3. יָסֻ֣רyāsurcuwr: to turn off (literal or figurative)H5493
  4. הֵ֑נָּהhēnnâhennah: hither or thither (but used both of place and time)H2008
  5. וַחֲסַרwaḥăsarchacer: lacking; (hence) withoutH2638
  6. לֵ֝֗בlēbleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  7. וְאָ֣מְרָהwĕʾāmĕrâamar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
17
  1. מַֽיִםmayimmayim: water; (figuratively) juiceH4325
  2. גְּנוּבִ֥יםgĕnûbîmganab: (literally or figuratively) to thieve; (by implication) to deceiveH1589
  3. יִמְתָּ֑קוּyimtāqûmathaq: to suck; (by implication) to relishH4985
  4. וְלֶ֖חֶםwĕleḥemlechem: food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)H3899
  5. סְתָרִ֣יםsĕtārîmcether: a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)H5643
  6. יִנְעָֽם׃yinʿāmna`em: to be agreeable (literally or figuratively)H5276
18
  1. וְֽלֹאwĕlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  2. יָ֭דַעyādaʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  3. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  4. רְפָאִ֣יםrĕpāʾîmrapha': (properly) lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as deadH7496
  5. שָׁ֑םšāmsham: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thenceH8033
  6. בְּעִמְקֵ֖יbĕʿimqê`ameq: deep (literally or figuratively)H6012
  7. שְׁא֣וֹלšĕʾôlsh'owl: Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmatesH7585
  8. קְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃qĕruʾêhāqara': to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)H7121

View the full Hebrew interlinear for Proverbs 9 →

Strong's words in Proverbs 9 (6)
Strong's H2449 — וְיֶחְכַּם (wĕyeḥkam)
chakam (khaw-kam') v. 1. X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser [a primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act)]. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.
Strong's H3045 — הוֹדַ֥ע (hôdaʿ)
yada` (yaw-dah') v. 1. to know 2. (properly) to ascertain by seeing 3. used in a great variety of senses 4. figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition 5. and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow) [a primitive root] KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit, wot.. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.
Strong's H3198 — וּמוֹכִ֖יחַ (ûmôkîaḥ)
yakach (yaw-kahh') v. 1. to be right (i.e. correct) 2. reciprocal, to argue 3. causatively, to decide, justify or convict [a primitive root] KJV: appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.
Strong's H3887 — לֵ֗ץ (lēṣ)
luwts (loots) v. 1. (properly) to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff 2. (hence, from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret 3. (generally) intercede [a primitive root] KJV: ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful), teacher.. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.
Strong's H6612 — פֶ֭תִי (petî)
pthiy (peth-ee') (or pethiy {peh'-thee} or pthaeiy {peth-aw-ee'};) adj. 1. silly (i.e. seducible) [from H6601] KJV: foolish, simple(-icity, one). Root(s): H6601. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.
Strong's H7121 — תִקְרָ֑א (tiqrāʾ)
qara' (kaw-raw') v. 1. to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications) [a primitive root (rather identical with H7122 through the idea of accosting a person met)] KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. Root(s): H7122. Appears 3 times in Proverbs 9.

Browse the full Strong's concordance →

“the fear of the Lord is strong, and great, and glorious. Fear, then, the Lord, and you will live to Him.”

What the Early Church wrote about Proverbs 9 (4)

  • “Then it adds, “In this way you will be crossing a foreign water,” regarding heretical baptism as foreign and improper, “and traversing a foreign river”—one which takes you astray and dumps you in the sea, where everyone who allows himself to be led away from the firm ground of...”

  • “and says, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath underlaid her seven pillars; she hath killed her victims; she hath mingled her wine in the chalice; she hath also furnished her table: and she hath sent forth her servants, calling together with a lofty announcement to her cup...”

    — Cyprian (3rd century) on Proverbs 9:1

  • “But where God is present, there is the fear of God, there are decent seriousness, vigilant care and anxious solicitude, well-tested selection, well-weighed communion and deserved promotion, religious obedience, devoted service, modest appearance, a united church, and all thing...”

  • “Christ, he means, the wisdom and power of God the Father, hath builded His house, i.e., His nature in the flesh derived from the Virgin, even as he (John) hath said beforetime, "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us." As likewise the wise prophet testifies: Wisdom that was...”

    — Hippolytus (3rd century) on Proverbs 9:1

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