Proverbs 9:6 kjv

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

Proverbs 9:6 nkjv

Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:6 niv

Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight."

Proverbs 9:6 esv

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

Proverbs 9:6 nlt

Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment."

Proverbs 9 verses

Proverbs 9 6 Meaning

Proverbs 9:6 is a direct command and invitation from Lady Wisdom, urging the "simple" or "naive" to abandon their foolish and misguided ways of life. It presents a stark choice: forsake foolishness, which leads to spiritual and existential death, and choose instead the path of wisdom and discernment, which leads to genuine life and deep understanding. It is a call to a transformative change in one's heart, mind, and conduct, moving from a state of receptive ignorance to active pursuit of God's wisdom.

Proverbs 9 6 Context

Proverbs chapter 9 vividly contrasts the invitations of two personified figures: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (or Stupidity). The chapter opens with Lady Wisdom building her house, preparing a feast, and sending out invitations to the "simple" (Pr 9:1-5). Verse 6 is Lady Wisdom's direct exhortation and promise to these receptive, but potentially misguided, individuals. It is her core message to those on the threshold of making a pivotal life choice. Following this invitation, the chapter highlights how Wisdom is received differently by mockers versus the wise, leading into Lady Folly's seductive, yet deadly, counter-invitation. Historically and culturally, ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature often used the metaphor of "the two ways" (the way of life vs. the way of death) to present ethical and practical choices, a theme deeply ingrained in Israelite covenant theology (e.g., Deut 30). This verse embodies the very heart of that traditional ethical call to righteous living.

Proverbs 9 6 Word analysis

• "Forsake": (עִזְב֣וּ `izvû) An imperative verb, strong and direct. It implies a conscious, active, and complete abandonment, a decisive turning away from a previous path or state. It's not a gentle suggestion but a firm command for spiritual and practical disassociation.
• "Foolishness": (פְּתָאִ֥ים petaʾîm) This specific Hebrew term for foolishness refers to the "simple" or "naive" ones (plural of pethî). These are individuals who are open-minded, susceptible, and easily influenced, lacking discretion and discernment. Unlike the kesil (hardened fool) or lets (scoffer/mocker) who are resistant or hostile to instruction, the pethî is still receptive to being taught and corrected, making them the target of Wisdom's earnest invitation. Their simplicity, left unaddressed, makes them vulnerable to destruction.
• "and live": (וּחְי֥וּ ūḥyû) This is also an imperative, indicating the consequence and goal of forsaking foolishness. "Life" here signifies not merely physical existence but a holistic, thriving, meaningful life, characterized by well-being, blessing, relationship with God, and spiritual vitality, aligning with the abundant life Christ speaks of (Jn 10:10).
• "and go": (וּבְכָל־ uvkhal-) Implies continuous action, a commitment to a new direction, to walk consistently and deliberately. It denotes progress along a chosen course.
• "in the way": (דֶ֖רֶךְ dereḵ) A foundational biblical metaphor. "The way" refers to one's entire course of life, conduct, behavior, and moral path. It encompasses beliefs, choices, and daily actions. In Proverbs, it often refers to a distinct spiritual and moral journey.
• "of understanding": (בִּינָֽה bînâ) This refers to discernment, insight, and intelligence. It's the ability to perceive and distinguish between what is good and evil, right and wrong, true and false. It goes beyond mere factual knowledge, implying a deeper comprehension of life's realities and principles, guided by divine wisdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Forsake foolishness and live": This pairing presents an immediate, urgent, and transformative choice. Abandoning the misguided ways of the simple leads directly to a vital, meaningful existence. It highlights cause and effect – liberation from folly is prerequisite for true life.
• "and go in the way of understanding": This specifies how to live. The path of life is synonymous with the path of discernment. It's not enough to simply cease foolishness; one must actively choose and embark on a new trajectory defined by wise discernment and intelligent conduct. This phrase establishes the ongoing nature of the pursuit of wisdom.

Proverbs 9 6 Bonus section

The structure of Proverbs 9:6 reflects a classic Hebrew poetic parallel, common in wisdom literature. It employs a chiastic-like structure of imperative-consequence // imperative-object of path (A-B // A'-B'), where forsaking petaim (foolishness) leads to ḥyû (life), just as going on the dereḵ (way) of bînâ (understanding) leads to the same positive outcome implicitly. The call from Wisdom here is an offer of radical transformation; it is a command for repentance – a turning away from sin and toward God through the pursuit of His wisdom. The receptiveness of the "simple" (pethîm) contrasts sharply with the hardened state of mockers mentioned later in the chapter (Pr 9:7-8), underscoring the urgency for those who still have open hearts to respond before becoming entrenched in folly. This call resonates with Christ's call to follow Him, which is the ultimate way to true understanding and life (John 14:6).

Proverbs 9 6 Commentary

Proverbs 9:6 is Lady Wisdom's earnest and direct call to those who are still malleable, urging them to shift from a perilous state of unexamined living to a flourishing existence. The instruction to "forsake foolishness" is a critical first step, requiring an intentional break from intellectual naivety and irresponsible living. This immediate action paves the way for "life," which in biblical terms is not merely existence but a robust, well-ordered, and blessed state of being that aligns with divine design. This transformation is then defined as "going in the way of understanding," emphasizing that wisdom is a continuous journey and lifestyle, not a static achievement. It's a journey of actively applying spiritual discernment and godly principles to every facet of life. This verse serves as a crucial turning point, highlighting the stark dichotomy between choices that lead to decay and those that lead to thriving.