A chiasm is a literary technique that inverts a phrase with a following phrase, often using repeated words or ideas. For example: ″When the going gets tough, the tough get going.″ Through symmetry, chiasms help to emphasise contrast or a central point that may be inserted between the two phrases. The Bible has a number of such chiasms, and Proverbs 9 is one of them.

In this final chapter urging the reader to choose between two women, Lady Wisdom (vv. 1-6) and Madame Folly (vv. 13-18), the chiasm focuses attention on the verses in the middle-verses 7-12, which contrast the mocker (vv. 7-8) and the wise (vv. 9-10). This puts the central focus of the chapter on verse 10: the fear of the Lord.

In verses 1-6, we see the characteristics of Lady Wisdom's invitation to her substantial, perfect house (v. 1): there is a sumptuous meal of meat and wine on offer (v. 2), and maids broadcasting an invitation to the naive and simple (vv. 3-4). It is an invitation to leave naivety and to walk in the way of the righteous-a meal that will lead to life (v. 6).

Consider the contrast between Lady Wisdom's offering and Madame Folly's invitation (vv. 13-18), which is also directed at the simple and naive (v. 16) but involves enjoying the sweet pleasures of a stolen meal that will lead to death (vv. 17-18). We will look at it in greater detail later, on Day 15. Lady Wisdom's words remind us of another who invites His hearers, not to a meal but to himself: ″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest″ (Matthew 11:28).

Here is Lady's Wisdom's generous invitation to all who are willing to listen, even if they are simple and naive: come and partake of a sumptuous meal; repent, leave your simple ways, and you will live.