Proverbs 6:6-11
Christian Standard Bible
Laziness
6 Go to the ant,(A) you slacker!(B)
Observe its ways and become wise.
7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
8 it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.(C)
9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
11 and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.(D)
Proverbs 6:6-11
International Standard Version
The Folly of Laziness
6 Go to the ant, you lazy man!
Observe its ways and become wise.
7 It has no commander,
officer, or ruler,
8 but prepares its provisions in the summer
and gathers its food in the harvest.
9 How long will you lie down, lazy man?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and your poverty will come on you like a bandit
and your desperation like an armed man.
Proverbs 10:4-5
Christian Standard Bible
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(A)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(B)
Proverbs 10:4-5
International Standard Version
4 Lazy hands bring poverty,
but hard-working hands lead to wealth.
5 Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely,
but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
Proverbs 10:26
Christian Standard Bible
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(A)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
Proverbs 10:26
International Standard Version
26 As vinegar is to the mouth[a] and smoke to the eyes,
so is the lazy person to those who send him.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:26 Lit. teeth
Proverbs 12:11
Christian Standard Bible
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(A)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(B)
Proverbs 12:11
International Standard Version
11 Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat,
but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
Proverbs 12:24
Christian Standard Bible
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(A)
Proverbs 12:24
International Standard Version
24 The diligent will take control,
but the lazy will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:27
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 12:27
International Standard Version
27 The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted,
but diligence is one’s most important possession.
Proverbs 13:4
Christian Standard Bible
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(A)
Proverbs 13:4
International Standard Version
4 The lazy person craves, yet receives nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are satisfied.
Proverbs 14:4
Christian Standard Bible
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[a]
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.
Footnotes
- 14:4 Or clean
Proverbs 14:4
International Standard Version
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean,
but profits come through the strength of the ox.
Proverbs 14:23
Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- 14:23 Lit but word of lips
Proverbs 14:23
International Standard Version
23 In hard work there is always profit,
but too much chattering[a] leads to poverty.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit. word of lips
Proverbs 15:19
Christian Standard Bible
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(A)
Proverbs 15:19
International Standard Version
19 The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge,
but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.
Proverbs 16:26
Christian Standard Bible
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[a] urges him on.
Footnotes
- 16:26 Lit mouth
Proverbs 16:26
International Standard Version
26 The appetite of the laborer motivates him;
indeed, his hunger drives him on.
Proverbs 18:9
Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- 18:9 Lit master of destruction
Proverbs 18:9
International Standard Version
Avoiding Fools and Their Foolishness
9 Whoever is lazy regarding his work
is also a brother to the master of destruction.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.