Proverbs 10:4

4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 10:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth.
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 Hands that don't want to work make you poor. But hands that work hard bring wealth to you.

Proverbs 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand
That is either remiss in giving to the necessities of others, according to his abilities, and as cases require; or that is negligent and slothful in his business. Or, "that worketh with a deceitful hand"; or, "with a hand of deceit" F21, as it may be rendered; who pretends to work, but does not; makes a show as if he did, but acts deceitfully; or who uses many tricking and deceitful ways and methods to live, as usually slothful persons do. Aben Ezra observes, it may be rendered and interpreted, "he becomes poor that makes a deceitful balance"; thinking to enrich himself by such fraudulent practices: or, as others, "a deceitful balance maketh poor" F23; such seldom or ever thrive, or it does not long prosper with them who use such unlawful methods;

but the hand of the diligent maketh rich;
that is, with the blessing of God along with it, as in ( Proverbs 10:22 ) ; such who are "sharp" F24 and acute, as the word signifies; who are careful and industrious, mind their business, and do the honest part; these, with a divine blessing, frequently grow rich: or rather who are like those that dig in the earth for gold, who search for it with great eagerness and diligence; for from this root is a word often used for gold, ( Proverbs 3:14 ) ( 8:19 ) ( 16:16 ) . All this is true in a spiritual sense; such who are slothful in attendance on the means of grace, the word and ordinances, are slack and negligent in duty, bring a spiritual poverty upon them; and like the Laodicean church, who, through her lukewarmness and carnal security, became poor and wretched, blind and naked: on the other hand, such who are diligent in the use of means are frequent at the throne of grace, forsake not the assembly of the saints, constantly wait at Wisdom's gates; these grow rich in grace and in all good works.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (hymr Pk) "vola doli", Montanus; "fraudulenta manu", Tigurine version, Cocceius, Schultens; so Junius & Tremellius, Michaelis.
F23 So Mercerus.
F24 (Myuwrx) "acuti", Bochart. Hierizoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 55. col. 668.

Proverbs 10:4 In-Context

2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 24:30-34
  • 2. Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 21:5
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.