Proverbs 20:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
American King James Version (AKJV)
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
Webster's Revision
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
World English Bible
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
English Revised Version (ERV)
The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Clarke's Proverbs 20:4 Bible Commentary
The sluggard will not plough - For other parts of this character, see the preceding chapter, Proverbs 19 (note). It is seldom that there is a season of very cold weather in Palestine; very cold days sometimes occur, with wind, rain, and sleet. They begin their ploughing in the latter end of September, and sow their early wheat by the middle of October. And this is often the case in England itself. The meaning of the proverb is: the slothful man, under the pretense of unfavorable weather, neglects cultivating his land till the proper time is elapsed.
Barnes's Proverbs 20:4 Bible Commentary
Plowing time in Palestine is in November and December, when the wind blows commonly from the North.
