Proverbs 9:6

Translations

Modern

Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”

Traditional

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Literal

Forsake foolishness, and live, and walk in the way of understanding.”

Latin

Relinquite infantiam, et vivite, et ambulate per vias prudentiæ.

Original

Hebrew

English

Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”

Notes

Proverbs 9:6

Wisdom helps people handle life well.

Proverbs 9:1–6

In Proverbs 9:13–18, a competing invitation challenges this offer to join Wisdom for a lavish meal.

Proverbs 8:1–9:18

The first part of Proverbs reaches a peak when the son meets two women. Both invite the young man, and the reader, into a close relationship. The young man and the reader must choose between:

The woman named Wisdom, who represents God's true wisdom (Proverbs 8:1–9:6)
The woman named Folly (9:13–18), who represents worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18–2:16)

Both women's houses are on "the heights of the city" (Proverbs 9:3, 14), which suggests ancient temples. The choice is between the true God and false gods.

Theme notes and profiles

The Choice of Life or Death

Related verses

Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Proverbs 4:11
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
Luke 13:24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Matthew 7:13–14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Acts 2:40
With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
Psalm 119:115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
Psalm 26:4–6
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.
Psalm 45:10
Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
Proverbs 9:11
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
Proverbs 4:14–15
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Proverbs 9:6

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