Amplified Bible
Proverbs 13:4
4The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
- New International Version (NIV)A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Context of Proverbs 13:4
2From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is for violence. 3The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin. The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied. 5A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully. 6Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
Read all of Proverbs 13Proverbs 13:4 word by word
מִתְאַוָּ֣ה וָ֭אַיִן נַפְשׁ֣וֹ עָצֵ֑ל וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ חָרֻצִ֣ים תְּדֻשָּֽׁן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 13:4
- Proverbs 10:4Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
- Proverbs 12:11He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.
- Proverbs 26:13The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”
- Numbers 23:10Who can count the dust (the descendants) of Jacob And the number of even the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God], And let my end be like his!”
- Proverbs 2:2So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];
- Proverbs 8:34Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.
- John 6:27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures [and leads] to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you; for God the Father has authorized Him and put His seal on Him.”
- Hebrews 6:11And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end,
- 2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),
- Proverbs 11:25The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
- Proverbs 28:25An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
- Psalms 92:14[Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment];
- Isaiah 58:11And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Commentaries on Proverbs 13:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing - We often hear many religious people expressing a desire to have more of the Divine life, and yet never get forward in it. How is this? The reason is, they desire, but do not stir themselves up to lay hold upon the Lord. They are always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. They seek to enter in at the strait gate, but are not able, because they do not strive.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. (Compare Pr 12:11, 27).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 13:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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