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
Common English Bible
6 Go to the ant, you lazy person;
observe its ways and grow wise.
7 The ant has no commander, officer, or ruler.
8 Even so, it gets its food in summer;
gathers its provisions at harvest.
9 How long, lazy person, will you lie down?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to lie down—
11 and poverty will come on you like a prowler,
destitution like a warrior.
Proverbs 10:4-5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(A)
5 A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.(B)
Proverbs 10:4-5
Common English Bible
4 Laziness brings poverty;
hard work makes one rich.
5 A wise son harvests in the summer;
a disgraceful son sleeps right through the harvest.
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
Common English Bible
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are lazy people to those who authorize them.
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
Common English Bible
11 Those who work their land will have plenty to eat,
but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense.
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
Common English Bible
24 A hard worker is in charge,
while a lazy one will be sentenced to hard labor.
Proverbs 12:27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 12:27
Common English Bible
27 The lazy don’t roast[a] their prey,
but hard workers receive precious riches.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:27 Heb uncertain
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
Common English Bible
4 The lazy have strong desires but receive nothing;
the appetite of the diligent is satisfied.
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
Common English Bible
4 When there are no oxen, the stall is clean,
but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.
Proverbs 14:23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23
Common English Bible
23 There is profit in hard work,
but mere talk leads to poverty.
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
Common English Bible
19 The path of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns,
but the way of those who do right is a clear road.
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
Common English Bible
26 The appetite of workers labors for them,
for their hunger presses them on.
Proverbs 18:9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 One who is slack in work
is close kin to a vandal.(A)
Proverbs 18:9
Common English Bible
9 Those who are lazy in their work
are brothers to thugs.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible