KJV ORIGINAL
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't love sleeping too much, or you'll become poor; stay alert and awake, and you'll have enough food to eat.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is warning that laziness and excessive sleeping lead to poverty, while staying diligent and alert leads to having your needs met.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's agricultural society where daily work was essential for survival. In a time without modern safety nets, those who were lazy or slept excessively would literally go hungry. The wisdom literature of Proverbs often contrasts the diligent worker with the sluggard (lazy person) as a practical guide for successful living.
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