Laziness

Go to the ant,(A) you slacker!(B)
Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.(C)
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)

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Laziness

Go to the ant,(A) you slacker!(B)
Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.(C)
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,(D)
11 and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.(E)

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Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(A)

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Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(A)

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The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(A)

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The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(A)

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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.

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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.

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11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(A)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(B)

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11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(A)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(B)

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24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(A)

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24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(A)

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27 A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game,(A)
but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious.(B)

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27 A lazy man doesn’t roast his game,(A)
but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.(B)

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The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(A)

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The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(A)

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11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(A)
but whoever earns it through labor[a] will multiply it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon his hand

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(A)
but whoever earns it through labor[a] will multiply it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon [his] hand

Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[a]
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:4 Or clean

Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[a]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:4 Or clean

19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(A)

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19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(A)

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26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[a] urges him on.

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Footnotes

  1. 16:26 Lit mouth

26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[a] urges him on.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:26 Lit mouth

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.

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A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.

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