¶ The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
The slothful {H7423} man roasteth {H2760} not that which he took in hunting {H6718}: but the substance {H1952} of a diligent {H2742} man {H120} is precious {H3368}.
A lazy man doesn't roast what he hunted; but when a man is diligent, his wealth is precious.
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of menis tothe diligent.
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Proverbs 13:4
¶ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. -
Proverbs 26:15
¶ The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. -
Proverbs 15:16
¶ Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. -
Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked. -
Proverbs 23:2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite. -
Proverbs 16:8
¶ Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 12:27 offers a sharp contrast between the consequences of laziness and the rewards of diligence, emphasizing the importance of follow-through and valuing one's efforts.
Context
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient Israelite wisdom, offering practical guidance for living a righteous and prosperous life. It frequently uses antithetical parallelism, presenting opposing ideas side-by-side to highlight the benefits of wisdom and the pitfalls of folly. Throughout Proverbs, themes of hard work, responsibility, and the dangers of idleness are prominent, reflecting a societal value placed on productivity and good stewardship. This verse fits squarely within that tradition, illustrating a common pitfall of human nature: the failure to complete what has been started.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Proverbs 12:27 carries timeless wisdom for all aspects of life: