Parallel Verses
Amplified
The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy].
New American Standard Bible
The fool
King James Version
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Holman Bible
and consumes his own flesh.
International Standard Version
The fool crosses his arms and starves himself.
American Standard Version
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Bible in Basic English
The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.
Darby Translation
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Julia Smith Translation
The foolish one folded his hands together, and ate his flesh.
King James 2000
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
Lexham Expanded Bible
{The fool refuses to work with his hands, so he has nothing to eat except his own skin}!
Modern King James verseion
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth up his own flesh.
NET Bible
The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.
New Heart English Bible
The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
The Emphasized Bible
The dullard, claspeth his hands, and consumeth his own flesh.
Webster
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
World English Bible
The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
Youngs Literal Translation
The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
Themes
Interlinear
Yad
References
Hastings
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 4:5
Verse Info
Context Readings
People Need Balance In Their Approach To Labor
4 I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy]. 6 One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.
Phrases
Names
Cross References
Isaiah 9:20
They slice off [in discord] what is on the right hand but are still hungry,
And they eat what is on the left hand but they are not satisfied;
Each eats the flesh of his own arm.
Job 13:14
“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my hands [incurring the wrath of God]?
Proverbs 6:10-11
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
Proverbs 12:27
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].
Proverbs 13:4
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
Proverbs 20:4
The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
Proverbs 24:33-34
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”