Proverbs 14:1
 Proverbs 14:1 
New International Version (©2011)
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

New Living Translation (©2007)
A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

English Standard Version (©2001)
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Every wise woman builds up her household, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

NET Bible (©2006)
Every wise woman builds her household, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
A wise woman builds a house and the foolish woman destroys it with her hands.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The wisest of women builds up her home, but a stupid one tears it down with her own hands.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

American King James Version
Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

American Standard Version
Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

Douay-Rheims Bible
A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.

Darby Bible Translation
The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.

English Revised Version
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

World English Bible
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Young's Literal Translation
Every wise woman hath builded her house, And the foolish with her hands breaketh it down.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:1 A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down. 2. Here are grace and sin in their true colours. Those that despise God's precepts and promises, despise God and all his power and mercy. 3. Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties. 4. There can be no advantage without something which, though of little moment, will affright the indolent. 5. A conscientious witness will not dare to represent anything otherwise than according to his knowledge. 6. A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit. 7. We discover a wicked man if there is no savour of piety in his discourse. 8. We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake. 9. Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ. 10. We do not know what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness. 11. Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises and strengthens even mean families. 12. The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth. 14. Of all sinners backsliders will have the most terror when they reflect on their own ways. 15. Eager readiness to believe what others say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies of his salvation, by taking heed to God's word. 16. Holy fear guards against every thing unholy. 17. An angry man is to be pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Every wise woman buildeth her house,.... Not only by her fruitfulness, as Leah and Rachel built up the house of Israel; but by her good housewifery, prudent economy; looking well to the ways of her household; guiding the affairs of her house with discretion; keeping all things in a good decorum; and bringing up her children in virtue, and in the fear and admonition of the Lord. So Christ, who in this book goes by the name of "Wisdom", or the wise woman, builds his house upon himself, the Rock; and all his people on their most holy faith, by means of the ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances: he guides and governs his house, where he is, as a Son in it and over it; and of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, taken care of, and wisely and plentifully provided for: and so Gospel ministers, who are wise to win souls, being well instructed in the kingdom of God; these "wise women" (y), so it is in the original text, or wise virgins; these wise master builders lay the foundation Christ ministerially, and build souls on it; and speak things to the edification of the church and people of God, and the building of them up in faith and holiness;

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Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

1 The wisdom of the woman buildeth her house,

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Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Every wise woman - literally, Wise women. The fullest recognition that has as yet met us of the importance of woman, for good or evil, in all human society.


Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Every wise woman buildeth her house - By her prudent and industrious management she increases property in the family, furniture in the house, and food and raiment for her household. This is the true building of a house. The thriftless wife acts differently, and the opposite is the result. Household furniture, far from being increased, is dilapidated; and her household are ill-fed, ill-clothed, and worse educated.


Geneva Study Bible

Every wise woman {a} buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

(a) That is, takes pains to profit her family, and to do that which concerns her duty in her house.


Wesley's Notes

14:1 Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands - By her idleness or sin.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 14

Pr 14:1-35.

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Proverbs 14:1 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Every Wise Woman Builds Her House
1Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands. 2He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him. 3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. …

Ruth 4:11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.
Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.