Proverbs 21:5

5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 21:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
ESV
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
NLT
5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
MSG
5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
CSB
5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor.

Proverbs 21:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:5

The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness
A man that is thoughtful and studious, and wisely forms schemes in his mind, and diligently pursues them; the issue of it is, generally speaking, prosperity and plenty: such a man is usually thriving and flourishing; and this holds good in things spiritual, as well as in things temporal, ( Matthew 25:29 ) ; but of everyone [that is] hasty only to want;
that is in haste to be rich, and is resolved to be so, right or wrong, he comes at last to poverty and want: or he who is rash and precipitate in acting, who never thinks before he acts, but rashly engages in an affair; or, however, does not give himself time enough to think it over, but, as soon as ever it has entered his thoughts, he immediately attempts to put it in execution; a man so thoughtless and inconsiderate, so rash and hasty, brings himself and family to poverty; see ( Proverbs 20:21 ) .

Proverbs 21:5 In-Context

3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 28:22
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