The Folly of Indolence

(A)Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no [a]captain,
Overseer or ruler,
Provides her [b]supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
(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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:7 Lit. leader
  2. Proverbs 6:8 Lit. bread
  3. Proverbs 6:9 Lit. lie down

(A)He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But (B)the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Read full chapter

He who gathers in (A)summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is (B)a son who causes shame.

Read full chapter

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
  2. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
  3. Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart

24 (A)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

Read full chapter

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

Read full chapter

(A)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Read full chapter

11 (A)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Read full chapter

Where no oxen are, the [a]trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:4 manger or feed trough

19 (A)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.

Read full chapter

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (A)him on.

Read full chapter

A wise servant will rule over (A)a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

Read full chapter

He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Read full chapter

15 (A)Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will (B)suffer hunger.

Read full chapter

24 (A)A lazy man buries his hand in the [a]bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:24 LXX, Syr. bosom; Tg., Vg. armpit

(A)The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
(B)He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

Read full chapter

13 (A)Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

Read full chapter

(A)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Read full chapter

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Read full chapter

25 The (A)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous (B)gives and does not spare.

Read full chapter

13 (A)The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!”

Read full chapter

29 Do you see a man who [a]excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before [b]unknown men.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:29 is prompt in his business
  2. Proverbs 22:29 obscure

10 If you (A)faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends