Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!” New Living Translation The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” English Standard Version The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” Berean Standard Bible The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” King James Bible The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. New King James Version The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” New American Standard Bible A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road! A lion is in the public square!” NASB 1995 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” NASB 1977 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” Legacy Standard Bible The sluggard says, “There is a fierce lion in the road! A lion is among the streets!” Amplified Bible The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!” Christian Standard Bible The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road — a lion in the public square! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road— a lion in the public square!” American Standard Version The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. Contemporary English Version Don't be lazy and keep saying, "There's a lion outside!" English Revised Version The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. GOD'S WORD® Translation A lazy person says, "There's a ferocious lion out on the road! There's a lion loose in the streets!" Good News Translation Why don't lazy people ever get out of the house? What are they afraid of Lions? International Standard Version The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!" Majority Standard Bible The slacker says, ?A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!? NET Bible The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!" New Heart English Bible The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road. A fierce lion roams the streets." Webster's Bible Translation The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. World English Bible The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe slothful has said, "" “A lion [is] in the way, "" A lion [is] in the broad places.” Young's Literal Translation The slothful hath said, 'A lion is in the way, A lion is in the broad places.' Smith's Literal Translation The slothful one said, A lion in the way; a lion between the broad places. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads. Catholic Public Domain Version The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.” New American Bible The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the street, a lion in the middle of the square!” New Revised Standard Version The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe sluggard says, when he is sent out, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Whenever a lazy man is sent, he says, "A lion is in the road"; "A lion is in the midst of the streets.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; Yea, a lion is in the streets.' Brenton Septuagint Translation A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there are murderers in the streets. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Similitudes and Instructions…12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” 14As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.… Cross References Proverbs 22:13 The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!” Matthew 25:24-25 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ Proverbs 6:6-11 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ... Proverbs 19:24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. 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 19:20-24 Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ / His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ... Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. Proverbs 20:4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. Romans 12:11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 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. Hebrews 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Treasury of Scripture The slothful man said, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. Jump to Previous Broad Fierce Hater Lion Midst Open Places Road Roaming Roams Slothful Sluggard Square Streets Way WorkJump to Next Broad Fierce Hater Lion Midst Open Places Road Roaming Roams Slothful Sluggard Square Streets Way WorkProverbs 26 1. observations about fools13. about sluggards 17. and about contentious busybodies The slacker says This phrase introduces the character of the "slacker," often translated as "sluggard" in other versions. In biblical literature, the sluggard is a person characterized by laziness and a lack of initiative. Proverbs frequently contrasts the sluggard with the diligent, highlighting the consequences of laziness. The sluggard's behavior is often used as a warning against idleness, which is seen as contrary to the work ethic encouraged throughout Scripture (e.g., Proverbs 6:6-11). The sluggard's excuses are often irrational and exaggerated, reflecting a deeper issue of avoiding responsibility. “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” Persons / Places / Events 1. The SlackerThis term refers to a lazy or idle person who makes excuses to avoid work or responsibility. In Hebrew, the word conveys the idea of sluggishness or laziness. 2. The Lion Symbolically, the lion represents a fabricated or exaggerated danger. In the context of this proverb, it is an excuse used by the slacker to justify inaction. 3. The Road and Public Square These are common places of travel and commerce in ancient times. Mentioning these locations emphasizes the absurdity of the slacker's excuse, as lions would not typically be found in such populated areas. Teaching Points Excuses vs. RealityThe slacker's excuse of a lion in the road is a metaphor for the irrational fears and justifications we create to avoid fulfilling our duties. We must discern between genuine obstacles and self-imposed barriers. Diligence in Work As Christians, we are called to be diligent and responsible in our work, reflecting God's character and honoring Him through our efforts. Facing Fears with Faith Instead of succumbing to fear, we should trust in God's protection and provision, stepping out in faith to accomplish what He has called us to do. Accountability and Community Being part of a Christian community helps us stay accountable and encourages us to overcome laziness and fear, as we support one another in our walk with Christ.(13) The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way . . .--See above on Proverbs 22:13.Verses 13-16. - Proverbs concerning the sluggard. Verse 13. - This is virtually the same as Proverbs 22:13. The words for "lion" are different in two parts of the verse, shakhal being the lion of advanced age, ari the full-grown animal; the latter may possibly be assumed to be the more dangerous of the two, and so a climax would be denoted. There is a proverb current in Bechuana, which says, "The month of seed time is the season of headaches." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The slackerעָ֭צֵל (‘ā·ṣêl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6102: Sluggish, lazy says, אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “A lion שַׁ֣חַל (ša·ḥal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7826: A lion [is] in the road! בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ (bad·dā·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action A fierce lion אֲ֝רִ֗י (’ă·rî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion [roams] בֵּ֣ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the public square!” הָרְחֹבֽוֹת׃ (hā·rə·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza Links Proverbs 26:13 NIVProverbs 26:13 NLT Proverbs 26:13 ESV Proverbs 26:13 NASB Proverbs 26:13 KJV Proverbs 26:13 BibleApps.com Proverbs 26:13 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 26:13 Chinese Bible Proverbs 26:13 French Bible Proverbs 26:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:13 The sluggard says There is a lion (Prov. 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