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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/20_Pro_20_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 20:13 - Wine is a Mocker" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/20-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/20-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/20-12.htm" title="Proverbs 20:12">◄</a> Proverbs 20:13 <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm" title="Proverbs 20:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, <i>and</i> thou shalt be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, <i>and</i> you will be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, <i>and you will</i> be satisfied with food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; Open your eyes, <i>and</i> you will be satisfied with food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; Open your eyes, <i>and</i> you will be satisfied with food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you&#8217ll have enough to eat.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you sleep all the time, you will starve; if you get up and work, you will have enough food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do not love sleep or you will end up poor. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you spend your time sleeping, you will be poor. Keep busy and you will have plenty to eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep or you'll become poor, keep your eyes open and you'll have plenty of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, "" Open your eyes—be satisfied [with] bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Love not sleep, lest thou become poor, Open thine eyes -- be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not love sleep lest thou shalt be dispossessed: open wide thine eyes, being filled with bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not love sleep lest you be reduced to poverty; keep your eyes open, have your fill of food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Love not sleep test you come to poverty; open your eyes and you shall be satisfied with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, but open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/20-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4014" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Wine is a Mocker</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: te·’ĕ·haḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">love</a> <a href="/hebrew/8142.htm" title="8142: nāh (N-fs) -- Sleep. Or shena; from yashen; sleep.">sleep,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: tiw·wā·rêš (V-Nifal-Imperf-2ms) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">you will grow poor;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6491.htm" title="6491: pə·qaḥ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To open, to be observant. A primitive root; to open; figuratively, to be observant.">open</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·ne·ḵā (N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">your eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7646.htm" title="7646: śə·ḇa‘- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To be sated, satisfied or surfeited. Or sabeay; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. Fill to satisfaction.">and you will have plenty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">of food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a></span><br />How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? / A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-33.htm">Proverbs 24:33-34</a></span><br />A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Matthew 25:26-30</a></span><br />‘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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11</a></span><br />And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a></span><br />So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Proverbs 19:15</a></span><br />Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4-5</a></span><br />Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. / He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Proverbs 23:21</a></span><br />For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:18</a></span><br />Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">Matthew 24:42-44</a></span><br />Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34-36</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-34.htm">1 Corinthians 15:34</a></span><br />Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.</p><p class="hdg">love</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a></b></br> How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></b></br> He becometh poor that dealeth <i>with</i> a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></b></br> He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain <i>persons is</i> void of understanding.</p><p class="hdg">open</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6</a></b></br> There was a man sent from God, whose name <i>was</i> John.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11</a></b></br> And that, knowing the time, that now <i>it is</i> high time to awake out of sleep: for now <i>is</i> our salvation nearer than when we believed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/15-34.htm">1 Corinthians 15:34</a></b></br> Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak <i>this</i> to your shame.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-9.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-11.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-6.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-20.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Plenty</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-18.htm">Spare</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-28.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Plenty</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Spare</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proper Living</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not love sleep</b><br>This phrase warns against excessive sleep, which can lead to laziness and neglect of responsibilities. In biblical times, diligence and hard work were highly valued, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a>, which also cautions against slothfulness. The cultural context of ancient Israel emphasized the importance of labor, especially in an agrarian society where survival depended on the harvest. The admonition here is not against rest, which is necessary and even commanded by God (<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>), but against the love of sleep that leads to idleness.<p><b>or you will grow poor</b><br>The consequence of loving sleep is poverty. This reflects the biblical principle that diligence leads to prosperity, while laziness results in lack. <a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a> states, "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." In the historical context, poverty was often a result of not working the land or failing to engage in trade. The Bible frequently associates hard work with God's blessing, as seen in the lives of figures like Joseph, whose diligence led to prosperity even in foreign lands (<a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2-6</a>).<p><b>open your eyes</b><br>This phrase encourages vigilance and awareness. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as a call to be alert to God's guidance and opportunities for service. Jesus often used the metaphor of sight to describe spiritual awareness, as in <a href="/matthew/13-16.htm">Matthew 13:16</a>, "But blessed are your eyes because they see." In a practical sense, opening one's eyes implies being proactive and ready to seize opportunities for work and provision.<p><b>and you will have plenty of food</b><br>The promise of plenty of food is a reward for diligence and alertness. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, food was a direct result of one's labor in the fields. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that God provides for those who are faithful and industrious. It also echoes the promise found in <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a>, "Those who work their land will have abundant food." Theologically, it reflects God's provision and care for His people, as seen in the manna provided in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and Jesus' assurance in <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a> that God feeds the birds and will surely provide for His children.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical advice for living a life that honors God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where agricultural and manual labor were common, and diligence was necessary for survival and prosperity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_laziness.htm">The Dangers of Laziness</a></b><br>Laziness can lead to poverty and lack. The love of sleep symbolizes a broader tendency towards idleness and neglect of responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_diligence.htm">The Call to Diligence</a></b><br>Opening one's eyes is a metaphor for being alert and proactive. Diligence in work and life leads to provision and abundance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vigilance.htm">Spiritual Vigilance</a></b><br>Just as physical laziness can lead to poverty, spiritual laziness can lead to a lack of growth and fruitfulness in one's spiritual life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balance_in_rest_and_work.htm">Balance in Rest and Work</a></b><br>While rest is important, it should not become an idol. Balance is key, ensuring that rest rejuvenates rather than hinders productivity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_stewardship.htm">Practical Stewardship</a></b><br>Being diligent in our daily tasks is a form of stewardship, honoring God with our time and resources.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'living_and_active'_mean.htm">Do you avoid sleeping too much?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_proverbs_say_on_laziness.htm">What does Proverbs say about lazy people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_avoid_sleeping_too_much.htm">Do you avoid sleeping too much?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'eye_for_eye'_conflict_with_forgiveness.htm">Exodus 21:22-25 describes 'eye for eye' justice; does this literal approach to retribution conflict with later biblical injunctions on forgiveness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Open thine eyes.--</span>Be up and stirring.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Love not sleep lest thou come</span> <span class="cmt_word">to poverty</span> (see <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9</a>, etc.). The fate of the sluggard is handled again in <a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Proverbs 23:21</a>, as often before; <span class="accented">e.g.</span> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a>; <a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Proverbs 19:15</a>. The LXX., taking <span class="hebrew">שֵׁנָה</span> (<span class="accented">shenah</span>), "sleep," as perhaps connected with the verb <span class="hebrew">שְׁנָה</span> (<span class="accented">shanah</span>), translate, "Love not to rail, that thou be not exalted (<span class="greek">ἵνα μὴ ἐξαρωῇς</span>)<span class="accented"></span>," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> probably, "Do not calumniate others in order to raise yourself;" others translate, "lest thou be cut off." <span class="cmt_word">Open thine eyes,</span> <span class="cmt_word">and thou shalt be satired with bread.</span> These words seem to connect this clause with ver. 12. God gives the faculty, but man must make due use thereof. The gnomist urges, "Do not slumber at your post, or sit downwardly waiting; but be up and doing, be wakeful and diligent, and then you shall prosper." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/20-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(te·’ĕ·haḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sleep,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֭נָה</span> <span class="translit">(nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8142.htm">Strong's 8142: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sleep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will grow poor;</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(tiw·wā·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3423.htm">Strong's 3423: </a> </span><span class="str2">To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">open</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּקַ֖ח</span> <span class="translit">(pə·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6491.htm">Strong's 6491: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open, to be observant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your eyes,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] you will have plenty</span><br /><span class="heb">שְֽׂבַֽע־</span> <span class="translit">(śə·ḇa‘-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7646.htm">Strong's 7646: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be sated, satisfied or surfeited</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of food.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽחֶם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/20-13.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:13 Don't love sleep lest you come (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/20-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 20:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 20:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>