Proverbs 6:6-11
Modern English Version
The Folly of Idleness
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise.
7 Which, having no guide,
overseer, or ruler,
8 provides her bread in the summer,
and gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard?
When will you arise out of your sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 so will your poverty come upon you like a stalker,
and your need as an armed man.
Proverbs 6:6-11
New King James Version
The Folly of Indolence
6 (A)Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no [a]captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her [b]supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 (B)How long will you [c]slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 (C)So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 6:7 Lit. leader
- Proverbs 6:8 Lit. bread
- Proverbs 6:9 Lit. lie down
Proverbs 10:4-5
Modern English Version
4 He becomes poor who deals with a slack hand,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
Proverbs 10:4-5
New King James Version
4 (A)He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But (B)the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in (C)summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is (D)a son who causes shame.
Proverbs 10:26
Modern English Version
26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
Proverbs 10:26
New King James Version
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.
Proverbs 12:11
Modern English Version
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
but he who follows vain persons is void of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11
New King James Version
11 (A)He who [a]tills his land will be satisfied with (B)bread,
But he who follows [b]frivolity (C)is devoid of [c]understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
Proverbs 12:24
Modern English Version
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:24
New King James Version
24 (A)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:27
Modern English Version
27 The slothful man does not roast that which he took in hunting,
but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 12:27
New King James Version
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.
Proverbs 13:4
Modern English Version
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing;
but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.
Proverbs 13:4
New King James Version
4 (A)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Proverbs 13:11
Modern English Version
11 Wealth gained by vanity will be diminished,
but he who gathers by labor will increase.
Proverbs 13:11
New King James Version
11 (A)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
Proverbs 14:23
Modern English Version
23 In all labor there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23
New King James Version
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [a]idle chatter leads only to poverty.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit. talk of the lips
Proverbs 15:19
Modern English Version
19 The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns,
but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Proverbs 15:19
New King James Version
19 (A)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 18:9
Modern English Version
9 He also who is slothful in his work
is brother to him who is a great waster.
Proverbs 18:9
New King James Version
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
