Read & explore together
The Way of Folly
This wisdom passage warns that foolishness can sound appealing. It presents a loud invitation, tempting words about secret pleasure, and then reveals the grave-like end that the listener does not notice at first.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses present the foolish woman speaking in the city to people who are passing by. The passage stays in the form of wisdom and dialogue. It uses her call and the final warning to show how folly appeals and what lies behind that appeal.
Proverbs 9:13–18Main takeaway
This passage teaches that folly may sound pleasant, but its guests end up in the depths of Sheol.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A loud but empty voiceThe passage opens by describing the foolish woman as loud, undisciplined, and knowing nothing.
Explanation
The passage opens by describing the foolish woman as loud, undisciplined, and knowing nothing. The description is negative from the start. She is noticeable and forceful, but the text makes clear that volume and boldness do not equal wisdom. Her presence is attention-grabbing, yet empty of true understanding.
02She calls from a public placeShe sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city. From there she calls to people who pass by.
Explanation
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city. From there she calls to people who pass by. The text says they are going straight on their ways, so her call is directed at ordinary passers-by as they continue along their path.
03Her words invite the undiscerningHer invitation is addressed to whoever is simple and to the one described as void of understanding.
Explanation
Her invitation is addressed to whoever is simple and to the one described as void of understanding. She says, “turn in here”. The warning is not aimed at the wise in this verse, but at the person the passage itself describes as lacking understanding and therefore open to her invitation.
04Pleasant words, dreadful realityHer message is that stolen water is sweet and food eaten in secret is pleasant. The appeal is tied to secrecy and stolen enjoyment.
Explanation
Her message is that stolen water is sweet and food eaten in secret is pleasant. The appeal is tied to secrecy and stolen enjoyment. But the listener does not know the fuller reality: the departed spirits are there, and her guests are in the depths of Sheol. The pleasure she offers ends in ruin.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the description in the first verse show about the difference between being loud and being wise?
Look closely at the three descriptions placed together in the verse and notice which ones are negative.
02Why does it matter that she calls to people who are going straight on their ways?
Use the wording of the verse to see that her appeal meets people as they pass by on their present course.
03How does the final verse change the way we hear her promise about sweet and pleasant secret things?
Compare the attraction of Proverbs 9:17 with the hidden reality revealed in Proverbs 9:18.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 9:13–18
13The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15to 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.”
18But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.