Proverbs 13:4 kjv
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 13:4 nkjv
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Proverbs 13:4 niv
A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Proverbs 13:4 esv
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4 nlt
Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.
Proverbs 13 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:6-11 | Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. She has no guide, overseer, or ruler, yet she prepares her food in summer and gathers her provisions in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. | Calls the sluggard to learn from ants, showing that laziness leads to inevitable poverty. |
| Prov 10:4-5 | A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. | Directly contrasts idleness with diligence, linking the latter to wealth and prudence. |
| Prov 12:11 | Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. | Connects diligent labor on the land with abundant food supply. |
| Prov 12:24 | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. | Illustrates how diligence leads to leadership and influence, while sloth leads to servitude. |
| Prov 14:23 | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. | Affirms that productive labor yields gain, contrasting it with empty words. |
| Prov 15:19 | The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. | Depicts the sluggard's life as self-imposed obstacles, preventing progress. |
| Prov 19:15 | Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. | Connects idleness with lethargy and the direct consequence of deprivation. |
| Prov 20:4 | The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. | Highlights the sluggard's failure to prepare, resulting in no reward at the crucial time. |
| Prov 21:5 | The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | Diligent planning brings plenty, contrasting it with rashness leading to want. |
| Prov 21:25 | The craving of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. | Emphasizes the sluggard's self-destruction through unfulfilled desires due to inaction. |
| Prov 24:30-34 | I passed by the field of a sluggard... behold, it was all overgrown... poverty came like a robber... | Provides a vivid visual example of the decay and ruin resulting from negligence and laziness. |
| Prov 26:13-16 | The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road!";... As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed... | Exposes the flimsy excuses and constant inaction characteristic of the lazy person. |
| Ecc 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. | Exhorts individuals to apply themselves wholeheartedly to their tasks while they have the opportunity. |
| Ecc 10:18 | Through slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through the idleness of hands the house rots away. | Illustrates the physical decay and ruin that result from negligence. |
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Connects genuine devotion and pursuit of God with the fulfillment of deep desires, paralleling spiritual diligence. |
| Ps 145:19 | He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. | Describes God's faithful provision for those who honor and seek Him, implying diligent devotion. |
| Matt 5:6 | Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. | Describes spiritual craving combined with active pursuit, leading to spiritual fulfillment. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Emphasizes diligently prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness, which leads to holistic provision. |
| 2 Thess 3:10 | For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. | Apostolic command reinforcing the necessity of work for sustenance and deterring idleness. |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. | Highlights the ethical imperative for believers to diligently provide for their families. |
| Jam 2:26 | For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. | Echoes the principle that intention or belief without corresponding action is futile and barren. |
| Jam 4:3 | You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. | Teaches that even desire expressed in prayer must align with righteous motives and God's will to be fulfilled. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | A promise of God's abundant provision for those who are faithful and serve Him diligently. |
Proverbs 13 verses
Proverbs 13 4 Meaning
Proverbs 13:4 articulates a foundational principle: mere desire, devoid of effort, leads to lack and unfulfilled longings. The person who wishes for something but is idle will find their appetite unsatisfied. In sharp contrast, the individual who applies themselves diligently, characterized by active and purposeful work, will discover abundant provision and profound satisfaction in all their endeavors. This verse succinctly establishes the direct and inescapable link between diligent labor and tangible reward, while warning against the barrenness of passive wishing.
Proverbs 13 4 Context
Proverbs chapter 13 serves as a collection of wisdom sayings, predominantly contrasting the path of the righteous and wise with that of the wicked and foolish. This chapter, like much of Proverbs, uses antithetical parallelism to emphasize moral and practical truths. Verse 4 fits directly into this didactic framework by highlighting the tangible outcomes of personal effort (or lack thereof) in daily life, especially concerning livelihood and provision. Historically, within ancient Israelite society, which was largely agrarian, diligence in tending fields and livestock was paramount for survival and prosperity. Therefore, this proverb resonated deeply, affirming that individual application directly impacted well-being. It subtly counteracts any notion that outcomes are purely a matter of fate or a divine gift unearned, stressing personal responsibility.
Proverbs 13 4 Word analysis
- The soul: Hebrew
nep̄eš(נֶפֶשׁ). While often translated "soul," here it represents the entire person, their innermost being, desire, appetite, or longing. It signifies a profound, inherent yearning or drive. - of the sluggard: Hebrew
‘ātsēl(עָצֵל). This term specifically denotes someone characterized by laziness, habitual idleness, and a chronic aversion to effort. It describes a moral disposition more than a temporary state. - craves: Hebrew
tā’wâ(תָּאוָה). This verb denotes a strong, intense longing or yearning, often bordering on a fervent desire or craving. The problem lies not in the desire itself, but in the sluggard's failure to couple it with action. - and gets nothing: Hebrew
‘ayin(אַיִן), meaning "nothing," "non-existence," or "without." This stark negation emphasizes the complete emptiness and unfulfillment that result from inaction, despite the strong craving. - while the soul: Hebrew
nep̄eš(נֶפֶשׁ). Again, referring to the entire person and their capacity for desire and experience, providing a direct parallel for comparison. - of the diligent: Hebrew
ḥārûts(חָרוּץ). This strong term implies someone active, sharp, decisive, and industriously persistent. It can also be related to valuable, refined "gold" or "sharp instruments," subtly connecting the character of diligence to both its intrinsic value and effective action. - is richly supplied: Hebrew
dāšēn(דָּשֵׁן). This verb means "to be made fat," "to be prosperous," or "to be well-nourished." It signifies an abundant provision, fullness, well-being, and complete satisfaction that goes beyond mere adequacy.
Words-group analysis:
- The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing: This phrase paints a picture of intense inner desire juxtaposed with absolute external barrenness. The "soul" (
nep̄eš) longs, even deeplycraves(tā’wâ), yet because of the sluggard's (‘ātsēl) inherent laziness, this potent desire meets withnothing(‘ayin). It reveals the tragic futility of aspirations unchecked by corresponding effort, leading to internal torment and external lack. - while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied: In sharp contrast, this second clause highlights the flourishing outcome for the active. The very
soul(nep̄eš) or person, when diligent (ḥārûts) in their efforts, receives bountiful fulfillment. Being "richly supplied" (dāšēn) speaks not just to meeting needs but to experiencing overflow, satisfaction, and flourishing, reflecting a holistic abundance as a direct result of disciplined exertion.
Proverbs 13 4 Bonus section
The concept of dāšēn ("richly supplied") can evoke images from the sacrificial system, where offerings were "made fat" to represent wholeness and acceptance before God, symbolizing the blessing and prosperity bestowed by divine favor. This subtle connection suggests that diligence, when viewed as part of faithful stewardship, can bring about a blessed state that is pleasing to the Lord. The Proverb also serves as an implicit polemic against ancient near Eastern deterministic views that might attribute all prosperity or poverty purely to arbitrary divine decree or capricious fate. Instead, it places significant emphasis on human moral choice and the resulting consequences, presenting diligence as a virtue ordained by God for human flourishing.
Proverbs 13 4 Commentary
Proverbs 13:4 teaches that a person's life outcomes are fundamentally shaped by their work ethic, not just their aspirations. The "sluggard," defined by chronic laziness, remains perpetually in a state of desiring what they cannot obtain because they refuse to put in the effort. Their soul, or entire being, experiences unfulfilled longing and perpetual want. Conversely, the "diligent" person, characterized by industriousness and consistent effort, finds their needs not merely met, but "richly supplied." This signifies a life of satisfaction, abundance, and prosperity that encompasses both material well-being and a contented spirit. The proverb emphasizes God's created order where diligent labor, exercised responsibly and wisely, is inherently linked to blessing and provision. It urges a shift from passive wishing to active engagement, as true fulfillment stems from purposeful action. For instance, a student wishing for good grades but never studying will get nothing; a student who diligently applies themselves will achieve knowledge and good results. Spiritually, a believer wishing for growth but not reading the Word or praying will feel barren; one diligent in these practices will be richly supplied.