Devine Scripture

Proverbs 10:4

What does Proverbs 10:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 10:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 10:4 means

This proverb contrasts two types of individuals and their outcomes: the lazy and the diligent. "Slack hand" vividly portrays idleness, indicating a lack of effort and attentiveness in work. The consequence for such a person is poverty, a direct result of their inaction. Conversely, the "hand of the diligent" represents painstaking effort and persistent engagement in tasks. The outcome for these individuals is wealth, not necessarily immense material riches, but certainly prosperity and well-being derived from their hard work. The verse thus teaches that diligence leads to abundance, while idleness leads to scarcity, establishing a clear link between behavior and outcome.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Poor <FI>is<Fi> he who is working--a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Context

Proverbs 10 initiates a major section of the book, comprising numerous short, pithy sayings attributed to Solomon, often presented in antithetical parallelism. Each verse, like this one, typically offers a self-contained truth, contrasting two opposing ideas or behaviors and their respective consequences. This chapter frequently addresses themes of righteousness versus wickedness, wisdom versus foolishness, and diligence versus laziness. Immediately surrounding verses also speak to the benefits of hard work and the dangers of idleness, placing verse 4 squarely within the chapter's overarching emphasis on practical wisdom for daily living.

v.3Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish; But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.

v.4This passage

v.5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; Buthe that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 13:4

    The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  • Proverbs 20:13

    Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

  • Proverbs 6:6

    Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:

  • 2 Peter 1:5

    Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;

  • Proverbs 24:30

    I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

  • Proverbs 19:24

    The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

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