Proverbs 12:11
New International Version
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

New Living Translation
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

English Standard Version
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Berean Standard Bible
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

King James Bible
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

New King James Version
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

New American Standard Bible
One who works his land will have plenty of bread, But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

NASB 1995
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

NASB 1977
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues vain things lacks sense.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who cultivates his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who pursues empty things lacks a heart of wisdom.

Amplified Bible
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

American Standard Version
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.

Contemporary English Version
Hard working farmers have more than enough food; daydreamers are nothing more than stupid fools.

English Revised Version
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.

Good News Translation
A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.

International Standard Version
Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat, but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.

Majority Standard Bible
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

NET Bible
The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom.

New Heart English Bible
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

World English Bible
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, "" And whoever is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied with bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

Smith's Literal Translation
He working his earth shall be filled with bread: and he pursuing vain things wanted heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.

New American Bible
Those who till their own land have food in plenty, but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he who follows vain pursuits lacks understanding.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that cultivates the soil will be filled with bread, and he that runs after futility is devoid of reason.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. 11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.…

Cross References
Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

Proverbs 14:23
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 20:13
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

Proverbs 21:25-26
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. / All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...

Ecclesiastes 10:18
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

Matthew 25:26-30
‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ...

Luke 12:42-46
And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ...

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.

Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


Treasury of Scripture

He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.

tilleth

Proverbs 13:23
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

Proverbs 14:4,23
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox…

Proverbs 27:27
And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

he that followeth

Proverbs 1:10
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Proverbs 4:14,15
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men

Proverbs 6:32
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

Jump to Previous
Abundant Bread Chases Fantasies Followeth Follows Food Foolish Goes Ground Heart Judgment Lacks Persons Plenty Pursues Pursuing Pursuits Satisfied Sense Short Tilleth Tilling Tills Understanding Vain Vanities Void Work Works Worthless
Jump to Next
Abundant Bread Chases Fantasies Followeth Follows Food Foolish Goes Ground Heart Judgment Lacks Persons Plenty Pursues Pursuing Pursuits Satisfied Sense Short Tilleth Tilling Tills Understanding Vain Vanities Void Work Works Worthless
Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














He who works his land
This phrase emphasizes the virtue of diligence and hard work. The Hebrew word for "works" is "עֹבֵד" (oved), which implies laboring or serving with dedication. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, working the land was a common occupation, and it required consistent effort and patience. This phrase suggests that those who commit themselves to their responsibilities and tasks will be rewarded. The land symbolizes the resources and opportunities God provides, and working it signifies being faithful stewards of what we have been given.

will have plenty of food
The promise of "plenty of food" is a direct result of diligent labor. The Hebrew word for "plenty" is "שָׂבַע" (sava), meaning satisfaction or abundance. This reflects a principle found throughout Scripture: God blesses those who are faithful and industrious. In a broader sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and fulfillment. Just as physical labor yields physical sustenance, spiritual diligence leads to spiritual abundance.

but whoever chases fantasies
The contrast here is stark. The phrase "chases fantasies" uses the Hebrew word "רֵיקִים" (reqim), meaning empty or vain things. This highlights the futility of pursuing unrealistic or idle dreams without the willingness to work for them. In the historical context, this could refer to those who neglect their duties in favor of get-rich-quick schemes or idle pursuits. It serves as a warning against the temptation to seek shortcuts to success without putting in the necessary effort.

lacks judgment
The consequence of chasing fantasies is a lack of judgment, or "חָסֵר לֵב" (chaser lev) in Hebrew, which literally means lacking heart or understanding. This phrase implies a deficiency in wisdom and discernment. In the biblical context, wisdom is highly valued, and it is often associated with the fear of the Lord and adherence to His commandments. The verse suggests that true wisdom involves recognizing the value of hard work and the dangers of laziness or impractical ambitions.

(11) Vain persons.--Or, things, such as "searching for hid treasures" (Proverbs 2:4).

Verse 11. - A contrast between industry and idleness, repeated at Proverbs 28:19. He that tilleth his land. Agriculture was the first of industries, and always highly commended among the Jews, bringing a sure return to the diligent (Proverbs 10:5; Proverbs 20:4; Proverbs 27:18, 23-27; and Ecclus. 20:28). He that followeth after vain persons; rather, vain things; μάταια, Septuagint, empty, useless employments, profitless business, in contrast to active labour on the land. The Vulgate renders, qui sectatur otium, "he who studieth ease;" but the original, reikim, will not bear this meaning. Is void of understanding; he not only, as is implied, will be reduced to poverty, but shows moral weakness and depravity. The Septuagint and Vulgate here introduce a paragraph not found in our Hebrew text: "He who takes pleasure (ὅς ἐστιν ἡδύς) in carouses of wine will leave disgrace in his strongholds (ὀχυρώμασι)" (Isaiah 28:7, 8; Habakkuk 2:16). Probably this verse is derived from the following, with some corruption of the text.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who works
עֹבֵ֣ד (‘ō·ḇêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

his land
אַ֭דְמָתוֹ (’aḏ·mā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

will have plenty of
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־ (yiś·ba‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited

food,
לָ֑חֶם (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

but whoever chases
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף (ū·mə·rad·dêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

fantasies
רֵיקִ֣ים (rê·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7386: Empty, worthless

lacks
חֲסַר־ (ḥă·sar-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2638: Needy, lacking, in want of

judgment.
לֵֽב׃ (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall have (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:10
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