Bible Strands
Proverbs 9:6
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Wisdom addresses the listener at her banquet, issuing this command immediately after inviting the simple to eat her bread and drink her wine (Proverbs 9:5). She places this instruction directly before warning that correcting a mocker brings personal shame (Proverbs 9:7).
The words — The imperative עִזְב֣וּ ('izvu) commands the listener to "abandon" or leave behind פְתָאיִ֣ם (petayim), rendered as "folly" or "foolish things." The parallel verb וְ֝/אִשְׁר֗וּ (ve'ishru) pairs with walking in the way of understanding to convey advancing or prospering in life.
The thread — This call to abandon folly and pursue understanding echoes the warning that a companion of fools will be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20) and the promise to guide on straight paths (Proverbs 4:11). The urgency of leaving behind unproductive paths aligns with the demand to make every effort to enter through the narrow door (Luke 13:24).
Why it lands — The text demands a decisive departure from unreflective behavior as a prerequisite for survival. It requires the reader to actively choose the disciplined path of understanding over the immediate comfort of folly.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Cross-references
- 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.”
- Psalms 26:4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.
- Psalms 45:10 Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,
- Psalms 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
- Proverbs 4:14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
- 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.