Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands - literally, 'wise women (each one) buildeth,' etc. Or else, 'the wisdom of women ... the folly,' etc. "Buildeth" - i:e., adorns, establishes, and makes happy her household (Ruth 4:1, "Rachel and Leah did build the house of Israel"). Such a one is taught experimentally by the Word of God how to bear herself toward her husband, her children, and her servants. Hereby, and by the noble offspring which God gives her, according to His promise, she "buildeth her house." The foolish woman, by her negligence, bad administration, self-indulgence, and provocation of God's displeasure, "plucketh down" her house.