Proverbs 12:24-27
Proverbs 12:24-27 The Message (MSG)
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work. Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. A good person survives misfortune, but a wicked life invites disaster. A lazy life is an empty life, but “early to rise” gets the job done.
Proverbs 12:24-27 King James Version (KJV)
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: But the slothful shall be under tribute. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: But the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: But the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 12:24-27 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.
Proverbs 12:24-27 New Century Version (NCV)
Hard workers will become leaders, but those who are lazy will be slaves. Worry is a heavy load, but a kind word cheers you up. Good people take advice from their friends, but an evil person is easily led to do wrong. The lazy catch no food to cook, but a hard worker will have great wealth.
Proverbs 12:24-27 American Standard Version (ASV)
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork. Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
Proverbs 12:24-27 New International Version (NIV)
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Proverbs 12:24-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
Proverbs 12:24-27 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad. [Is 50:4; Prov 15:13] The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. 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 12:24-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
Proverbs 12:24-27 The Passion Translation (TPT)
If you want to reign in life, don’t sit on your hands. Instead, work hard at doing what’s right, for the slacker will end up working to make someone else succeed. Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart. Lovers of God give good advice to their friends, but the counsel of the wicked will lead them astray. A passive person won’t even complete a project, but a passionate person makes good use of his time, wealth, and energy.
Proverbs 12:24-27 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
