I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.
Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
“I will tell you, hear me; What I have seen I will declare,
Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”
I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth.
Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.