⁶ You people who don’t want to work, think about the ant!
    Consider its ways and be wise!
⁷ It has no commander.
    It has no leader or ruler.
⁸ But it stores up its food in summer.
    It gathers its food at harvest time.

⁹ You lazy people, how long will you lie there?
    When will you get up from your sleep?
¹⁰ You might sleep a little or take a little nap.
    You might even fold your hands and rest.
¹¹ Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you.
    You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.

⁴ Hands that don’t want to work make you poor.
    But hands that work hard bring wealth to you.

⁵ A child who gathers crops in summer is wise.
    But a child who sleeps at harvest time brings shame.

²⁶ Those who don’t want to work hurt those who send them.
    They are like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

¹¹ Those who farm their land will have plenty of food.
    But those who chase dreams have no sense.

²⁴ Hands that work hard will rule.
    But people who are lazy will be forced to work.

²⁷ Lazy people do not even cook what they catch.
    But those who work hard eat their fill of what is hunted.

⁴ People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
    But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the feed box is empty.
    But a strong ox brings in huge harvests.

²³ All hard work pays off.
    But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.

¹⁹ The way of people who don’t want to work is blocked with thorns.
    But the path of honest people is a wide road.