Proverbs 10:26

26 A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.

Proverbs 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth
Which, with its coldness and sourness, blunts the teeth, and makes it troublesome to eat: the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it,

``as the sour grape is hurtful to the teeth;''

sets them on edge; and as smoke to the eye;
dims the sight, causes the eye to water, and is very pernicious and vexatious: so [is] the sluggard to them that send him:
that is, the slothful messenger, as the Targum explains it; who, being sent on an errand, is dilatory, does not make haste to bring back the answer; which is very vexatious to those that send him, raises their passions, makes them fretful and very angry, be it on what account it will: so slothful and unprofitable servants, to whom talents are given for usefulness, which they hide or use not, are very provoking to Christ, and whom he will order into outer darkness; those who have gifts for sacred service ought not to be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, ( Matthew 25:26 Matthew 25:29 ) ( Romans 12:6-11 ) .

Proverbs 10:26 In-Context

24 The nightmares of the wicked come true; what the good people desire, they get.

25 When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.

26 A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.

27 The Fear-of-God expands your life; a wicked life is a puny life.

28 The aspirations of good people end in celebration; the ambitions of bad people crash.