Proverbs 12:11

The one who works ¹  his field will have plenty ²  of food, but whoever chases daydreams ³  lacks wisdom. ⁴ 

He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

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

Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.

The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.

Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.

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

The one who works ¹  his field will have plenty ²  of food, but whoever chases daydreams ³  lacks wisdom. ⁴ 

¹ sn In the biblical period agriculture was the most common occupation for the people; so “working a field” describes a substantial occupation, but also represents working in general. Diligent work, not get-rich-quick schemes, is the key to ensuring income.

² tn Heb “will have his fill of” or “will be satisfied with.”

³ tn Heb “empty things” or “vain things.” The term רֵיקִים (reqim) refers to worthless pursuits in an effort to make money. The fact that the participle used is “chase after” shows how elusive these are. Cf. NIV “fantasies”; NCV “empty dreams”; TEV “useless projects.”

⁴ tn Heb “heart.” The term לֵב (lev, “heart”) functions as a metonymy of association for wisdom (BDB 524 s.v. 3).