Proverbs 13:23

Modern

Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

Traditional

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

Literal

There is much food in the fallow ground of the poor, and it is swept away for lack of justice.

Latin

Multi cibi in novalibus patrum, et aliis congregantur absque judicio.

Hebrew

English

Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

Hard work does not always lead to success (see Proverbs 10:426; 12:11; 13:4) because injustice exists in the world.

Theme notes and profiles

Proverbs 12:11
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Ecclesiastes 5:9
The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
Ecclesiastes 8:5–6
Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.
Proverbs 27:18
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
Proverbs 27:23–27
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
Proverbs 12:14
By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
Jeremiah 8:7–10
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.
Proverbs 11:5–6
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
Proverbs 6:6–11
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.