Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

27 Put your outdoor work in order
    and get your fields ready;
    after that, build 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 went past the field of a sluggard,(A)
    past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds,
    and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
    and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest(B)
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.(C)

Read full chapter

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
    but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Read full chapter

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(A)

Read full chapter

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
    so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Read full chapter

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(A)

Read full chapter

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
    A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
    so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish.
    He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven men who answer with discretion.

Read full chapter

13 A sluggard says,(A) “There’s a lion in the road,
    a fierce lion roaming the streets!”(B)
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
    so a sluggard turns on his bed.(C)
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.(D)
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven people who answer discreetly.

Read full chapter

23 Know well the state of your flocks,
    and pay attention to your herds:

Read full chapter

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(A)
    give careful attention to your herds;

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 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(A)

Read full chapter

24 “There are four things which are little on the earth,
    but they are exceedingly wise:
25     The ants are not a strong people,
    yet they provide their food in the summer.
26     The hyraxes are but a feeble folk,
    yet make they their houses in the rocks.
27     The locusts have no king,
    yet they advance in ranks.
28     You can catch a lizard with your hands,
    yet it is in kings’ palaces.

Read full chapter

24 “Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;(A)
26 hyraxes(B) are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts(C) have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Read full chapter