I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
“Listen to me and I will explain to you; let me tell you what I have seen,
As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
“We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”
The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.