Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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!

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

27 Prepare your work outside,
    and get your fields ready.
    Afterwards, build your house.

Read full chapter

27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
    before building your house.

Read full chapter

30 I went by the field of the sluggard,
    by the vineyard of the man void of understanding:
31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
    Its surface was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered well.
    I saw, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34 so your poverty will come as a robber
    and your want as an armed man.

Read full chapter

30 I walked by the field of a lazy person,
    the vineyard of one with no common sense.
31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.
    It was covered with weeds,
    and its walls were broken down.
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it,
    I learned this lesson:
33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
    scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Read full chapter

14 As the door turns on its hinges,
    so does the sluggard on his bed.

Read full chapter

14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,
    so the lazy person turns over in bed.

Read full chapter

18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.
    He who looks after his master shall be honored.

Read full chapter

18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
    so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

Read full chapter

23 Know well the state of your flocks,
    and pay attention to your herds:
24 for riches are not forever,
    nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears,
    the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26 The lambs are for your clothing,
    and the goats are the price of a field.
27 There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food,
    for your family’s food,
    and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Read full chapter

23 Know the state of your flocks,
    and put your heart into caring for your herds,
24 for riches don’t last forever,
    and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
25 After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears
    and the mountain grasses are gathered in,
26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing,
    and your goats will provide the price of a field.
27 And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,
    your family, and your servant girls.

Read full chapter

19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food;
    but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Read full chapter

19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

Read full chapter