Goto the ant,O sluggard,Observeher waysand be wise,
Indeed,it is uselessto spreadthe [baited] netIn the sightof anybird;
Like vinegarto the teethand smoketo the eyes,Sois the lazyoneto those who sendhim.
Pooris he who workswith a negligenthand,But the handof the diligentmakesrich.
The soulof the sluggardcravesand [gets] nothing,But the soulof the diligentis madefat.
The wayof the lazyis as a hedgeof thorns,But the pathof the uprightis a highway.
He alsowho is slackin his workIs brotherto him who destroys.
Lazinesscastsinto a deepsleep,And an idlemanwill sufferhunger.
The sluggardburieshis handin the dish,[But] will not evenbringit backto his mouth.
The sluggarddoes not plowafterthe autumn,So he begsduring the harvestand hasnothing.
The desireof the sluggardputshim to death,For his handsrefuseto work;
The sluggardsays,"There is a lionoutside;I will be killedin the streets!"
Listen,my son,and be wise,And directyour heartin the way.
Fourthingsare smallon the earth,But they are exceedinglywise:
The antsare not a strongpeople,But they preparetheir foodin the summer;
Howlongwill you liedown,O sluggard?Whenwill you arisefrom your sleep?
"An oxknowsits owner,And a donkeyits master'smanger,[But] Israeldoes not know,My peopledo not understand."
"Eventhe storkin the skyKnowsher seasons;And the turtledoveand the swiftand the thrushObservethe timeof their migration;But My peopledo not knowThe ordinanceof the LORD.
"But his masteransweredand saidto him, 'You wicked,lazyslave,you knewthat I reapwhereI did not sowand gatherwhereI scatteredno[seed].
"Lookat the birdsof the air,that they do not sow,norreapnorgatherinto barns,and [yet] your heavenlyFatherfeedsthem. Are you not worthmuchmorethan they?
not lagging behindin diligence,ferventin spirit,servingthe Lord;
sothat you will not be sluggish,but imitatorsof thosewho throughfaithand patienceinheritthe promises.
