Bible in Basic English
Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house.
Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false.
Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work.
I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense;
And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down.
Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it.
A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:
So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.
— Proverbs 24:27-1964, Bible in Basic English
“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. ”
“Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: Yeta little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man. ”
“Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house. Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips. Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work. I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man: And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down. Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction. Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest. And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man. ”
“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. ”
He who says to the evil-doer, You are upright, will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.
But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them.
He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.
Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house.
Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false.
Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work.
I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense;
And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down.
Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it.
A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:
So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.