Bible Strands
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses students and readers with practical wisdom, positioning this teaching between instructions on guarding speech and rejecting falsehood.
The words — עָצֵל ('a.Tzel) literally denotes a sluggard or slacker, while תְּדֻשָּׁן (te.du.Shan) carries the concrete sense of being made fat or fully satisfied.
The thread — The contrast between diligence and laziness recurs in Proverbs 12:24 and Proverbs 12:11, while the call to deliberate effort echoes in 2 Peter 1:5.
Why it lands — The text declares that coveting without action yields nothing, whereas sustained work produces tangible satisfaction, demanding a reader choose active obedience over idle desire.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
- Proverbs 12:11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
- 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- Proverbs 2:2 if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
- Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- Proverbs 11:25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
- Proverbs 28:25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
- John 6:27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
- Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
- Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.