Ecclesiastes 4:5 Parallel Translations
NASB: The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. (NASB ©1995)
GWT: A fool folds his hands and wastes away.(GOD'S WORD®)
KJV: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
ASV: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
BBE: The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.
DBY: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
ERV: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
JPS: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
WBS: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
WEB: The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
YLT: The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
Ecclesiastes 4:5 Cross References
XREF:Proverbs 6:10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest "--

Proverbs 24:33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,"

Isaiah 9:20 They slice off what is on the right hand but still are hungry, And they eat what is on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm. (NASB ©1995)
Commentaries and Concordances
GSB: 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and {e} eateth his own flesh.
(e) For idleness he is compelled to destroy himself.
WES: 4:5 The fool - Is careless and idle: perceiving that diligence is attended with envy, he runs into the other extreme. Eateth - Wastes his substance, and brings himself to poverty, whereby his very flesh pines away for want of bread.
MHC: 4:4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.
CONC:Body Clasping Consumes Eateth Eating Eats Flesh Foldeth Folding Folds Fool Foolish Hands Ruins Takes
PREV:Body Clasping Consumes Eateth Eating Eats Flesh Foldeth Folding Folds Food Fool Foolish Hands Ruins Together
NEXT:Body Clasping Consumes Eateth Eating Eats Flesh Foldeth Folding Folds Food Fool Foolish Hands Ruins Together
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.
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