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Diligence and Laziness |
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Proverbs makes it clear that diligence—-being willing to work hard and do one's best at any job given to him or her—is a vital part of wise living. We work hard, not to become rich, famous, or admired (although those may be by-products), but to serve God with our very best during our lives. |
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The Diligent |
The Lazy |
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Become rich |
Are soon poor |
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Gather crops early |
Sleep during harvest |
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Are an annoyance |
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Are prosperous |
Are idle |
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Hard work returns rewards |
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Will become leaders |
Will become slaves |
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Make good use of resources |
Waste good resources |
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Are fully satisfied |
Want much but get little |
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Bring profit |
Experience poverty |
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Have an easy path |
Have trouble all through life |
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Are like those who destroy |
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Go hungry |
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Won't feed themselves |
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Won't plow in season |
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Stay awake and have food to spare |
Love sleep and grow poor |
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Make careful plans |
Make hasty shortcuts |
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Love pleasure and become poor |
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Love to give |
Desire things but refuse to work for them |
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Are full of excuses for not working |
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Will serve before kings |
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Sleep too much, which leads to poverty |
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Reap abundance through hard work |
Experience poverty because of laziness |
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