Proverbs 13:4
New International Version
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

New Living Translation
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

English Standard Version
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Berean Standard Bible
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

King James Bible
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

New King James Version
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

New American Standard Bible
The soul of the lazy one craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made prosperous.

NASB 1995
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.

NASB 1977
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.

Legacy Standard Bible
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is enriched.

Amplified Bible
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.

Christian Standard Bible
The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.

American Standard Version
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Contemporary English Version
No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough.

English Revised Version
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A lazy person craves food and there is none, but the appetite of hard-working people is satisfied.

Good News Translation
No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants.

International Standard Version
The lazy person craves, yet receives nothing, but the desires of the diligent are satisfied.

Majority Standard Bible
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

NET Bible
The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.

New Heart English Bible
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

Webster's Bible Translation
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

World English Bible
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The soul of the slothful is desiring, and does not have. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

Young's Literal Translation
The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

Smith's Literal Translation
The soul of the slothful one desiring, and nothing: and the soul of the active shall be made fat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sluggard willeth and willeth not: but the soul of them that work, shall be made fat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The lazy one is willing and then not willing. But the soul of he who labors shall be made fat.

New American Bible
The appetite of the sluggard craves but has nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is amply satisfied.

New Revised Standard Version
The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A sluggard is always craving; but the soul of the diligent shall be enriched.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A man that does not work always falls into lusts and the soul of the strong will grow fat.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be abundantly gratified.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
3He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. 5The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.…

Cross References
Proverbs 10:4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 21:25-26
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. / All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

Proverbs 6:6-11
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ...

Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Proverbs 19:15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...

Ecclesiastes 10:18
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

Matthew 25:26-30
‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ...

Hebrews 6:12
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Romans 12:11
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.

Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.


Treasury of Scripture

The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

desireth

Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverbs 12:11,24
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding…

Proverbs 26:13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

but

Proverbs 2:2-9
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; …

Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

John 6:27
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

made

Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 28:25
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Psalm 92:14
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

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Abundantly Craves Desire Desires Desireth Desiring Diligent Fat Fully Gets Gratified Hard Hater Richly Satisfied Slothful Sluggard Sluggard's Soul Supplied Work Workers
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Abundantly Craves Desire Desires Desireth Desiring Diligent Fat Fully Gets Gratified Hard Hater Richly Satisfied Slothful Sluggard Sluggard's Soul Supplied Work Workers
Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














The soul of the sluggard
The term "soul" in Hebrew is "nephesh," which often refers to the inner being or life force of a person. It encompasses desires, emotions, and the essence of life. The "sluggard" is a recurring character in Proverbs, representing laziness and a lack of initiative. The Hebrew word for sluggard is "ʿāṣēl," which conveys a sense of sluggishness and inactivity. Historically, the sluggard is depicted as someone who desires the benefits of hard work but is unwilling to exert the necessary effort. This phrase highlights the internal struggle and unfulfilled desires of those who choose idleness over diligence.

craves, yet gets nothing
The word "craves" suggests a deep longing or desire, indicating that the sluggard has strong wants or needs. However, the phrase "yet gets nothing" underscores the futility of desire without action. In the Hebrew context, this reflects a principle seen throughout Scripture: that mere wishing without corresponding effort leads to emptiness. The sluggard's cravings remain unmet because they do not translate into productive action. This serves as a warning against the dangers of complacency and the importance of aligning desires with diligent effort.

but the soul of the diligent
In contrast to the sluggard, the "diligent" person is characterized by consistent and earnest effort. The Hebrew word for diligent is "ḥārûṣ," which implies sharpness, decisiveness, and industriousness. This term is often associated with a person who is proactive and committed to their tasks. The "soul" of the diligent, like that of the sluggard, refers to their inner being, but it is marked by a different quality—one of purpose and determination. This phrase sets up a stark contrast between two types of people and their approaches to life.

is fully satisfied
The phrase "is fully satisfied" speaks to the fulfillment and contentment that comes from hard work and perseverance. In Hebrew, the word "satisfied" is "šāḇaʿ," which conveys a sense of being filled or having one's needs met. This satisfaction is not merely material but also spiritual and emotional, reflecting a holistic sense of well-being. The diligent person experiences the rewards of their labor, both in tangible results and in the deeper satisfaction of having achieved their goals. This serves as an encouragement to pursue diligence as a path to true fulfillment.

Verse 4. - (Comp. Proverbs 10:4.) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; literally, and nothing is there - he gains nothing (Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 20:4). He has the wish, but not the will, and the empty wish without corresponding exertion is useless (Proverbs 21:25, etc.). Vulgate, "The indolent wishers, and wishes not;" he wishes for something, but he wishes not for the labour of getting it; he would like the result, but he hates the process by which the result is to be obtained. Septuagint, "In desires every idle man is occupied;" his mind is fixed wholly on aimless wishes, not on action. Shall be made fat (Proverbs 11:25); Septuagint, "The hands of the valiant are fully occupied (ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ)."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The slacker
עָצֵ֑ל (‘ā·ṣêl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6102: Sluggish, lazy

craves,
מִתְאַוָּ֣ה (miṯ·’aw·wāh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 183: To incline, desire

yet [gets] nothing,
וָ֭אַיִן (wā·’a·yin)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

but the soul
נַפְשׁ֣וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

of the diligent
חָרֻצִ֣ים (ḥā·ru·ṣîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2742: Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager

is fully satisfied.
תְּדֻשָּֽׁן׃ (tə·ḏuš·šān)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1878: To be fat, to fatten, to anoint, to satisfy, to remove, ashes


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 13:3
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