Proverbs 12:27
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
American King James Version (AKJV)
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
Webster's Revision
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
World English Bible
The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
English Revised Version (ERV)
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
Clarke's Proverbs 12:27 Bible Commentary
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting - Because he is a slothful man, he does not hunt for prey; therefore gets none, and cannot roast, that he may eat. There is some obscurity in the original on which the versions cast little light. Coverdale translates the whole verse thus: "A discreatfull man schal fynde no vauntage: but he that is content with what he hath, is more worth than golde." My old MS. Bible: The gylful man schal not fynd wynnynge: and the substance of a man schal ben the pris of gold.
By translating hymr remiyah the deceitful, instead of the slothful man, which appears to be the genuine meaning of the word, we may obtain a good sense, as the Vulgate has done: "The deceitful man shall not find gain; but the substance of a (just) man shall be the price of gold." But our common version, allowing hymr remiyah to be translated fraudulent, which is its proper meaning, gives the best sense: "The fraudulent man roasteth not that which he took in hunting," the justice of God snatching from his mouth what he had acquired unrighteously.
But the substance of a diligent man - One who by honest industry acquires all his property - is precious, because it has the blessing of God in it.
Barnes's Proverbs 12:27 Bible Commentary
The word rendered "roasteth" occurs nowhere else; but the interpretation of the King James Version is widely adopted. Others render the first clause thus: "The slothful man will not secure (keep in his net) what he takes in hunting," i. e., will let whatever he gains slip from his hands through want of effort and attention.
Wesley's Proverbs 12:27 Bible Commentary
12:27 Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours.Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it.