Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 10:5

ESV He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
NIV He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
NASB He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
CSB The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
NLT A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
KJV He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
NKJV He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

What does Proverbs 10:5 mean?

This continues the theme of work ethic, begun in the prior verse (Proverbs 10:4). An old-fashioned English expression delivers a similar message: "make hay while the sun shines." A diligent person works when and how they can; the lazy person misses even the obvious opportunities to get ahead. When harvesttime is over, is it too late to collect crops. Sensible children tend to make their parents proud, parents of shiftless or selfish children are often ashamed. Laziness fails those children and leads them into a bad reputation.

Christians ought to diligently serve God in harvesting souls. When Jesus' disciples returned with food from a Samaritan village and offered Jesus something to eat, He replied that His food was to do the will of God (John 4:34). At that time, men in traditional white robes were streaming from the village to see Jesus. Jesus told His disciples: "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest" (John 4:35). Today is the day for harvesting souls. Tomorrow may be too late!
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