Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Instruction » From nature
Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. read more.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
And I applied myself by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human] wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which God has given to the sons of man with which to busy themselves. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is defective and lacking cannot be counted. read more.
I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge. And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge. And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? read more.
And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
Instruction » Also see
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. read more.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Laziness » Lazy people
The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
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.
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],
And the idle person will suffer hunger.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.
The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!”
The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.
He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. read more.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold.
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets! As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed. The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. read more.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.
Poverty » Who will end up in poverty
He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to
Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
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.
Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat, For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. read more.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Rising » Late » consequences of
How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep -- " So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Understanding » Those that are void of understanding
A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. read more.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Declare this in the house of Jacob and publish it in Judah: Hear now this, O foolish people without understanding or heart, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not: