Proverbs 12:11
9 Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
- KJV
- He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
- WEB
- He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
- ASV
- He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] is void of understanding.
- DARBY
- He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
- BLB
- The one working his land is satisfied [with] bread, while the one pursuing vanities [is] lacking of heart.
- ÅB
- Den som dyrker sin jord, mettes med brød; men den som jager etter tomme ting, er uten forstand.
- OTB
- De som arbeider sitt land, vil ha rikelig med mat, men de som jager verdiløse sysler, mangler forstand.
- B1930
- Den som dyrker sin jord, mettes med brød; men den som jager efter tomme ting, er uten forstand.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Read in contextProverbs 14:23
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:11–12
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
Read in contextPsalms 128:2
For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Read in contextEphesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
Read in context2 Thessalonians 3:8
nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
Read in contextProverbs 9:6
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Read in contextProverbs 14:4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
Read in context