Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. New Living Translation Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. English Standard Version A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Berean Standard Bible Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. King James Bible He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. New King James Version He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. New American Standard Bible Poor is one who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. NASB 1995 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. NASB 1977 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. Legacy Standard Bible Poor is he who works with a slack hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. Amplified Bible Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, But the hand of the diligent makes him rich. Christian Standard Bible Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. Holman Christian Standard Bible Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. American Standard Version He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Contemporary English Version Laziness leads to poverty; hard work makes you rich. English Revised Version He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. GOD'S WORD® Translation Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches. Good News Translation Being lazy will make you poor, but hard work will make you rich. International Standard Version Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands lead to wealth. Majority Standard Bible Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. NET Bible The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy. New Heart English Bible He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. Webster's Bible Translation He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. World English Bible He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionPoor [is] he who is working [with] a slothful hand, "" And the hand of the diligent makes rich. Young's Literal Translation Poor is he who is working -- a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Smith's Literal Translation A slothful hand makes poverty, and the hand of the active will make rich. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand of the industrious getteth riches. He that trusteth to lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds that fly away. Catholic Public Domain Version The neglectful hand has wrought destitution. But the hand of the steadfast prepares riches. He who advances by lies, this one feeds on the wind. For he is the same as one who runs after flying birds. New American Bible The slack hand impoverishes, but the busy hand brings riches. New Revised Standard Version A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BiblePoverty humbles a man; but the hands of diligent men make rich. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Poverty humbles a man but the hands of the diligent make rich. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Brenton Septuagint Translation Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son…3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked. 4Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.… Cross References Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. Proverbs 14:23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 19:15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. Proverbs 20:4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 24:30-34 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ... Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks. Matthew 25:26-30 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ... Luke 12:47-48 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. Luke 16:10-12 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. / So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? / And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own? Romans 12:11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. Treasury of Scripture He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich. becometh Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: … Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. with a slack hand Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Jump to Previous Causes Dealeth Diligent Gets Hand Hands Lazy Makes Maketh Negligent Poor Poverty Ready Rich Slack Slothful Slow Wealth Worker Worketh Working WorksJump to Next Causes Dealeth Diligent Gets Hand Hands Lazy Makes Maketh Negligent Poor Poverty Ready Rich Slack Slothful Slow Wealth Worker Worketh Working WorksProverbs 10 1. Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vicesIdle hands The phrase "idle hands" is derived from the Hebrew word "remiyyah," which conveys a sense of slackness, deceit, or laziness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idleness was often associated with a lack of productivity and moral decay. The Bible frequently warns against laziness, as it leads to poverty and spiritual stagnation. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase serves as a reminder that God calls His people to be industrious and to use their time wisely for His glory. The hands, symbolizing action and work, are not to be idle but engaged in meaningful labor. Make one poor But diligent hands Bring wealth Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Idleרְמִיָּ֑ה (rə·mî·yāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7423: Remissness, treachery hands כַף־ (ḵap̄-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan make עֹשֶׂ֥ה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make one poor, רָ֗אשׁ (rāš) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor but diligent חָרוּצִ֣ים (ḥā·rū·ṣîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2742: Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager hands וְיַ֖ד (wə·yaḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand bring wealth. תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃ (ta·‘ă·šîr) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6238: To accumulate, chiefly, to grow, rich Links Proverbs 10:4 NIVProverbs 10:4 NLT Proverbs 10:4 ESV Proverbs 10:4 NASB Proverbs 10:4 KJV Proverbs 10:4 BibleApps.com Proverbs 10:4 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 10:4 Chinese Bible Proverbs 10:4 French Bible Proverbs 10:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 10:4 He becomes poor who works (Prov. Pro Pr) |