Proverbs 20:4

Modern

The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Traditional

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Literal

From autumn a lazy one will not will plow, and he begs in the harvest, and there is nothing.

Latin

Propter frigus piger arare noluit; mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.

Hebrew

English

The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Theme notes and profiles

Proverbs 10:4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 19:15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Matthew 25:24–28
Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
Matthew 25:3–10
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.
Proverbs 26:13–16
The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
2 Peter 1:5–11
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
Proverbs 6:10–11
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
Proverbs 24:34
…and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
Proverbs 19:24
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.