New English Translation
Proverbs 10:4
4The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy.
Proverbs 10:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
- New International Version (NIV)Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Context of Proverbs 10:4
2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. 3The Lord satisfies the appetite of the righteous, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy. 5The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son, but the one who sleeps during the harvest is a son who brings shame to himself. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:4 word by word
רָ֗אשׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה כַף־רְמִיָּ֑ה וְיַ֖ד חָרוּצִ֣ים תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:4
- Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise!
- Proverbs 11:24One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.
- Proverbs 12:24The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave.
- Proverbs 19:15Laziness brings on a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry.
- Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
- Proverbs 24:30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.
- Ecclesiastes 10:18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.
- John 6:27Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life – the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”
- Hebrews 6:11But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end,
- 2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge;
- Proverbs 13:4The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
- Proverbs 21:5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Commentaries on Proverbs 10:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He becometh poor - God has ordered, in the course of his providence, that he who will not work shall not eat. And he always blesses the work of the industrious man.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Slack - The word is elsewhere translated as “deceitful” Job 13:7; Psalm 120:2-3; Hosea 7:16; Jeremiah 48:10. The two thoughts run easily into each other.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Lazy people make unwise choices, but hard workers make wise decisions (see also Proverbs 10:26; 26:13–16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare Ho 7:16). maketh rich--(compare Pr 10:22).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 10:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 10
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries