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Proverbs 20:13

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
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

Proverbs was written in ancient Israel during the time of King Solomon, as part of the Wisdom Literature aimed at teaching practical wisdom for everyday life. In that agrarian society, where survival depended on farming and manual labor, laziness or excessive sleep could lead to neglect of duties and result in poverty. This verse serves as a straightforward warning within the broader context of biblical proverbs that emphasize diligence and moral responsibility.

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