Proverbs 6:9

9 How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard? and when wilt thou awake out of sleep?

Proverbs 6:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 6:9

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?
&c.] Or "lie" ^F17 in bed, indulging in sloth and ease; while the industrious ant is busy in getting in its provisions, even by moonlight, as naturalists ^F18 observe; when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
and be about thy lawful calling? doing the duties of religion, and the business of life; providing things honest in the sight of all men; things necessary for thyself and family, and wherewith to do good to others; exercising a conscience void of offence both to God and men. Time should not be slept away, to the neglect of the affairs of life, nor of the concerns of the immortal soul and a future state; men should not be slothful in things temporal or spiritual: whatever may be the proper time to awake and arise out of sleep in a morning, which seems to be according to a man's circumstances, health and business; it is always high time for the sinner to awake out of the sleep of sin, and arise from the dead; and for the drowsy saint to arise out of his lethargy and carnal security.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (bkvt) "jacebis", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus; "cubabis", Piscator, Cocceius.
F18 Aelian. de Animal. l. 4. c. 43.

Proverbs 6:9 In-Context

7 For whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is under no master,

8 he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.

9 How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard? and when wilt thou awake out of sleep?

10 Thou sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short , and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little.

11 Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.