What does Proverbs 9:8 mean?

Proverbs depicts wisdom as a woman calling out to anyone who will hear (Proverbs 8:1–4). In this chapter, that imagery includes Wisdom building a house and preparing a feast (Proverbs 9:1–6). Of course, not all people want to receive wisdom. Some, so committed to their own desires, will hatefully attack anyone who questions them (Proverbs 9:7). To "reprove" is to apply correction, conviction, reason, or pleading to another person. People inclined to mock or dismiss what they don't want to hear respond to correction with hatred. In contrast, a person with a wise attitude will appreciate the correction.

Jesus, the epitome of wisdom, called for repentance from sin. Those who wisely turn from their sin and believe in Jesus no longer love their sin but love Jesus. Peter, for example, admitted in the presence of Jesus that he was a sinful man, but when he became a believer and followed Jesus, he loved Jesus. His love was not always perfect, but he confessed that he loved Jesus (John 21:15–17). Later, he proved his love for Jesus by bravely proclaiming Him as Lord and Savior to a crowd of Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) and by suffering for His sake (Acts 5:27–42; 12:1–5).