I passed by the field of the slacker, by the vineyard of one lacking judgment.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense.
As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow harm, reap them.
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one lacking sense.
He who commits adultery with a woman lacks sense. Whoever does so destroys himself.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous one forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
I will tell you; listen to me, and what I have seen I will declare,
Behold, we have investigated this— it is true. Hear it, and apply it to yourself!”
During my fleeting days I have seen both of these things: sometimes a righteous one perishes in his righteousness and sometimes a wicked one lives long in his wickedness.
The upright see it and are glad, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.
By laziness the rafters sag, and by idle hands the house leaks.
The slacker’s soul craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent soul will be satisfied.