13:4

This proverb contrasts the appetite/desire of the lazy person with that of the diligent person. The lazy person is never satisfied, but the diligent person is completely satisfied.

4a
The slacker craves yet has nothing,

4b but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

13:4a–b

The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent: The Hebrew text refers literally to the “soul of the lazy” and the “soul of the diligent.” Some versions show that the word “soul” is being used twice by representing it in both parts of the verse. For example:

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied (New International Version (2011))

See the note on 13:2b, where the Berean Standard Bible translates the word “soul” as “desire.”

In this context, the appetite or desires of lazy and diligent people probably include the physical hunger for food and sexual satisfaction as well as other desires. So it is recommended that you translate these parallel terms in a general way that does not refer only to one kind of desire. Here is one way to express this meaning:

4a No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it.

4b A hard worker will get everything he wants. (Good News Translation)

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