Proverbs 20:4
The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
3It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.
5The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:4He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth.
Proverbs 19:15Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.
Proverbs 21:25The desire of the hater of work is death to him, for his hands will do no work.
Proverbs 26:13The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Matthew 25:3For the foolish, when they took their lights, took no oil with them.
2 Peter 1:5So, for this very cause, take every care; joining virtue to faith, and knowledge to virtue,
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:4
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife. 1. Men think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the greatest folly that can be. He thinks himself a wise man that is quick in resenting affronts, that stands upon every nicety of honour and right, and will not abate an ace of either, that prescribes, and imposes, and gives law, to every body; but he that thus meddles is a fool, and creates a great… Read the whole commentary →