Proverbs 12:27
New International Version
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

New Living Translation
Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.

English Standard Version
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

Berean Standard Bible
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.

King James Bible
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

New King James Version
The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.

New American Standard Bible
A lazy person does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a person is diligence.

NASB 1995
A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.

NASB 1977
A slothful man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.

Legacy Standard Bible
A slack handed man does not roast his prey, But the wealth of a man is precious for the diligent.

Amplified Bible
The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey, But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].

Christian Standard Bible
A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game, but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A lazy man doesn’t roast his game, but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.

American Standard Version
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.

Contemporary English Version
Anyone too lazy to cook will starve, but a hard worker is a valuable treasure.

English Revised Version
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the precious substance of men is to the diligent.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A lazy hunter does not catch his prey, but a hard-working person becomes wealthy.

Good News Translation
If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.

International Standard Version
The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted, but diligence is one's most important possession.

Majority Standard Bible
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.

NET Bible
The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.

New Heart English Bible
The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

Webster's Bible Translation
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

World English Bible
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The slothful does not roast his game, "" And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.

Young's Literal Translation
The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.

Smith's Literal Translation
The slothful one shall not ensnare his hunting: and the substance of the active man is precious.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.

New American Bible
Sloth does not catch its prey, but the wealth of the diligent is splendid.

New Revised Standard Version
The lazy do not roast their game, but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The deceitful man shall not find his prey; but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Prey will not be taken for the deceitful man, but the precious possession of a man is choice.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; But the precious substance of men is to be diligent.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. 27A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession. 28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.…

Cross References
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

Proverbs 21:25-26
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. / All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

Ecclesiastes 10:18
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

Proverbs 10:4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 19:24
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

Proverbs 6:6-11
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ...

Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...

Matthew 25:26-30
‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ...

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

Hebrews 6:12
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Romans 12:11
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

Ephesians 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.

1 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. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.


Treasury of Scripture

The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

slothful

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 23:2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Proverbs 26:15
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

but

Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Psalm 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Jump to Previous
Catch Diligence Diligent Food Game Gets Hunt Hunting Lazy Possession Possessions Precious Prey Prized Ready Roast Roasteth Search Slothful Slow Substance Wealth Work Worker
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Catch Diligence Diligent Food Game Gets Hunt Hunting Lazy Possession Possessions Precious Prey Prized Ready Roast Roasteth Search Slothful Slow Substance Wealth Work Worker
Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














A lazy man
The Hebrew word for "lazy" is "עָצֵל" (ʿāṣēl), which conveys a sense of sluggishness or slothfulness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, laziness was not merely a lack of physical activity but a failure to fulfill one's responsibilities and duties. The Bible consistently warns against laziness, as it leads to poverty and unfulfilled potential. The "lazy man" here represents someone who does not take initiative or follow through with their tasks, missing out on the fruits of their labor.

does not roast his game
The phrase "does not roast his game" implies a failure to complete a task. In ancient times, hunting was a significant activity that required skill and effort. To "roast" one's game was to prepare and enjoy the rewards of one's labor. The lazy man, having caught the game, does not take the final step to benefit from it. This reflects a broader spiritual truth: without diligence and perseverance, even initial successes can be wasted.

but a diligent man
The Hebrew word for "diligent" is "חָרוּץ" (ḥārûṣ), which means sharp, decisive, or industrious. Diligence is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible, often associated with wisdom and prosperity. A "diligent man" is one who is proactive, attentive, and committed to seeing tasks through to completion. This quality is not only beneficial in practical matters but also in spiritual growth and service to God.

prizes his possession
The word "prizes" suggests valuing or cherishing something. In Hebrew, the root word "יָקַר" (yāqar) means to esteem or hold in high regard. The "possession" here can be understood as the results of one's hard work. A diligent person recognizes the value of what they have achieved and takes care to preserve and enhance it. This reflects a biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources wisely and gratefully.

(27) The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting.--Or, does not net, (i.e., secure) his prey; but a valuable possession to a man is diligence.

Verse 27. - The slothful man (literally, sloth) roasteth not that which he took in hunting. There is some doubt concerning the correct meaning of the word translated "roasteth" (חרך), which occurs only in the Chaldea of Daniel 3:27, where it signifies "burned" or "singed," according to the traditional rendering. It seems to be a proverbial saying, implying either that a lazy man will not take the trouble to hunt, or, if he does hunt, will not prepare the food which he has taken in the chase, or that he does not enjoy it when he has gotten it. Others render, "will not start his prey;" or "catch his prey," Septuagint; or "secure his prey," i.e. will not keep in his net what he has caught, but carelessly lets it escape. The Vulgate renders, "The cheat will gain no profit." The word rendered "cheat," fraudulentus in the Latin, and δόλιος in the Greek, is the same as that rightly translated "slothful" (ver. 24). But the substance of a diligent man is precious; i.e. the substance which an honest, industrious man acquires by his labour is stable and of real value. This second clause, however, is variously translated, Revised Version, But the precious substance of men is to the diligent, or, is to be diligent; Delitzsch, "Diligence is a man's precious possession;" Septuagint, "A pure man is a precious possession." The Authorized Version is probably erroneous, and the rendering should be, as Delitzsch and Nowack take it, "But a precious possession of a man is diligence."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A lazy
רְמִיָּ֣ה (rə·mî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7423: Remissness, treachery

man does not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

roast
יַחֲרֹ֣ךְ (ya·ḥă·rōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2760: To braid, catch, in a, net

his game,
צֵיד֑וֹ (ṣê·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6718: The chase, game, lunch

but a diligent
חָרֽוּץ׃ (ḥā·rūṣ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2742: Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager

man
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

prizes
יָקָ֣ר (yā·qār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3368: Precious, rare, splendid, weighty

his possession.
וְהוֹן־ (wə·hō·wn-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1952: Wealth, sufficiency


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man doesn't roast his game (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:26
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