Proverbs 6:6-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
6 Go to the ant, you lazybones;
consider its ways and be wise.(A)
7 Without having any chief
or officer or ruler,
8 it prepares its food in summer
and gathers its sustenance in harvest.(B)
9 How long will you lie there, O lazybones?
When will you rise from your sleep?(C)
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want, like an armed warrior.(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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(A)
Proverbs 10:4
International Standard Version
4 Lazy hands bring poverty,
but hard-working hands lead to wealth.
Proverbs 10:5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
5 A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.(A)
Proverbs 10:5
International Standard Version
5 Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely,
but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
Proverbs 10:26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are the lazy to their employers.(A)
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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(A)
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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:24
International Standard Version
24 The diligent will take control,
but the lazy will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing,
while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.(A)
Proverbs 13:4
International Standard Version
4 The lazy person craves, yet receives nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are satisfied.
Proverbs 13:11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
11 Wealth hastily gotten[a] will dwindle,
but those who gather little by little will increase it.(A)
Footnotes
- 13.11 Gk Vg: Heb from vanity
Proverbs 13:11
International Standard Version
11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:11 The Heb. lacks his prosperity
Proverbs 14:4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
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 15:19
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level 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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
their hunger urges them on.
Proverbs 16:26
International Standard Version
26 The appetite of the laborer motivates him;
indeed, his hunger drives him on.
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