One verse. Three ways to understand.
A lazy person's desires will destroy them, because they refuse to work with their hands.
This verse is warning that laziness becomes self-destructive when someone wants things but won't work for them.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishThe desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, likely written during the time of King Solomon in ancient Israel, where it served as practical guidance for living wisely in a society dependent on agriculture and manual labor. In this cultural context, laziness was seen as a direct path to poverty and ruin, as people had to work hard to survive in a harsh environment. This verse fits into the broader biblical theme of contrasting the diligent with the idle to promote moral and productive living.