Add parallel Print Page Options

Go watch the ants, you lazy person.
    Watch ·what they do [L its paths] and ·be [or become] wise.
Ants have no commander,
    no leader or ruler,
but they ·store up [get their] food in the summer
    and gather their ·supplies [provisions] at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you lazy person?
    When will you get up from sleeping?
10 ·You sleep a little; you take a nap [L “A little sleep, a little slumber”].
    ·You fold your hands and [L “A little folding of the arms to…”] lie down to rest.
11 So ·you will be as poor as if you had been robbed [L poverty will come on you like a robber];
    ·you will have as little as if you had been held up [L deprivation like a shielded warrior].

Read full chapter


Go to the ant, O lazy one;
Observe her ways and be wise,(A)

Which, having no chief,
Overseer or ruler,

She prepares her food in the summer
And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.

How long will you lie down, O lazy one?
When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]?(B)
10 
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—
11 
So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]
And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].(C)

Read full chapter