Proverbs 6:6-11
Expanded Bible
6 Go watch the ants, you lazy person.
Watch ·what they do [L its paths] and ·be [or become] wise.
7 Ants have no commander,
no leader or ruler,
8 but they ·store up [get their] food in the summer
and gather their ·supplies [provisions] at harvest.
9 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].
Proverbs 6:6-11
Amplified Bible
6
Go to the ant, O lazy one;
Observe her ways and be wise,(A)
7
Which, having no chief,
Overseer or ruler,
8
She prepares her food in the summer
And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.
9
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)
Proverbs 6:6-11
New International Version
Proverbs 10:4
Expanded Bible
4 A ·lazy person will end up [L slack palm makes a person] poor,
but a ·hard worker will become [L determined hand makes a person] rich.
Proverbs 10:4
Amplified Bible
4
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
Proverbs 10:4
New International Version
Proverbs 10:5
Expanded Bible
5 Those who gather crops ·on time [L in the summer] are wise,
but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
Proverbs 10:5
Amplified Bible
5
He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
Proverbs 10:5
New International Version
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(A)
Proverbs 10:26
Expanded Bible
26 A lazy person affects the one ·he works for [L who sends him]
like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes [C irritating].
Proverbs 10:26
Amplified Bible
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.
Proverbs 10:26
New International Version
Proverbs 12:11
Expanded Bible
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases ·empty dreams [emptiness] ·is not wise [lacks sense/heart].
Proverbs 12:11
Amplified Bible
11
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.
Proverbs 12:11
New International Version
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(A)
Proverbs 12:24
Expanded Bible
24 Hard workers will ·become leaders [be in charge],
but those who are lazy will be ·slaves [put to forced labor].
Proverbs 12:24
Amplified Bible
24
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:24
New International Version
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(A)
Proverbs 12:27
Expanded Bible
27 The lazy ·catch no food to cook [L do not roast their prey],
but a hard worker will have great wealth.
Proverbs 12:27
Amplified Bible
27
The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].
Proverbs 12:27
New International Version
27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
Proverbs 13:4
Expanded Bible
4 The desire of the lazy is strong, but they get nothing,
but desire of those who work hard will be satisfied.
Proverbs 13:4
Amplified Bible
4
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.(A)
Proverbs 13:4
New International Version
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(A)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Proverbs 13:11
Expanded Bible
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow.
Proverbs 13:11
Amplified Bible
11
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
Proverbs 13:11
New International Version
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(A)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
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