Every wise woman buildeth her house. Wise women order well their household matters and their families; they have an important influence, and exercise it beneficially.
γυναικὸς ἐσθλῆς ἐστὶ σώζειν οἰκίαν.
"A good wife is the saving of a house."
The versions render as above. A different pointing of the word translated "wise" (chakhmoth) will give "wisdom" (chokhmoth), which it seems best to read here, as the parallel to the abstract term "folly" in the second member. So we have, "Wisdom hath builded her house" (Proverbs 9:1; comp. Proverbs 1:20). Thus: "The wisdom of women buildeth their house" (Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 24:3). But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands; "but Folly plucketh it down with her own hands;" of course, the folly of women is intended.
γυνὴ γὰρ οἴκῳ πῆμα καὶ σωτηρία
"Bane or salvation to a house is woman."
Foolish, unprincipled women, by their bad management or their evil doings, ruin their families materially and morally. "The husband should labour," says a Servian proverb; "the wife should save."