KJV ORIGINAL
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Laziness puts a person into a deep sleep, and someone who refuses to work will go hungry.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is teaching that laziness leads to poverty and want - if you don't work, you won't have what you need to survive.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's agricultural society where daily work was essential for survival. In Solomon's time, there were no social safety nets, so a person's willingness to work directly determined whether they would eat. The wisdom literature of Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the connection between diligence and prosperity, reflecting the practical realities of ancient Near Eastern life.
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