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A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
    and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

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A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

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One who is slack in his work
    is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

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A lazy person is as bad as
    someone who destroys things.

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15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.
    The idle soul shall suffer hunger.

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15 Lazy people sleep soundly,
    but idleness leaves them hungry.

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24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

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24 Lazy people take food in their hand
    but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

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The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
    therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

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Those too lazy to plow in the right season
    will have no food at the harvest.

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13 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
    Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

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13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
    Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

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The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
    and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

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Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
    but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

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17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
    He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

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17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
    those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

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25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long;
    but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

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25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
    for their hands refuse to work.

26 Some people are always greedy for more,
    but the godly love to give!

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13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I will be killed in the streets!”

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13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
    If I go outside, I might be killed!”

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29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
    He will serve kings.
    He won’t serve obscure men.

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29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
    They will serve kings
    rather than working for ordinary people.

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10 If you falter in the time of trouble,
    your strength is small.

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10 If you fail under pressure,
    your strength is too small.

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