New King James Version
Proverbs 21:25
25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
Proverbs 21:25 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
- New International Version (NIV)The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
Context of Proverbs 21:25
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. 24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. 26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:25 word by word
תַּאֲוַ֣ת עָצֵ֣ל תְּמִיתֶ֑נּוּ כִּֽי־מֵאֲנ֖וּ יָדָ֣יו לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:25
- Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
- Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
- Proverbs 13:4The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
- Proverbs 15:19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
- Proverbs 19:24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- Proverbs 20:4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
- Proverbs 22:13The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”
- Proverbs 24:30I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
- Proverbs 26:13The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”
- Matthew 25:26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25The desire of the slothful killeth him - He desires to eat, drink, and be clothed: but as he does not labor, hence he dies with this desire in his heart, envying those who possess plenty through their labor and industry. Hence he is said to covet greedily all the day long, Proverbs 21:26, while the righteous, who has been laborious and diligent, has enough to eat, and some to spare.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25Killeth him - He wastes his strength and life in unsatisfied longings for something which he has not energy to gain. The wish to do great or good things may sometimes be taken for the deed, but if the hindrance is from a man‘s own sloth, it does but add to his condemnation.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-26Verses 25-26 Here is the misery of the slothful; their hands refuse to labour in an honest calling, by which they might get an honest livelihood; yet their hearts cease not to covet riches, pleasures, and honours, which cannot be obtained without labour. But the righteous and industrious have their desires satisfied.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. desire--that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:25
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries