Amsal 24:31

24:31 I saw ¹  that thorns had grown up all over it,

the ground ²  was covered with weeds,

and its stone wall was broken down.

Amsal 28:19

28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, ³ 

but whoever chases daydreams ⁴  will have his fill ⁵  of poverty.

[24:31]  ¹ tn The Hebrew term וְהִנֵּה (vÿhinneh, traditionally “and, lo” [KJV, ASV]) is a deictic particle that calls attention to what comes next. “And look” is too abrupt here; “I saw” calls attention to the field that was noticed.

[24:31]  ² tn Heb “its face” (so KJV, ASV).

[28:19]  ³ tn Or “will have plenty of food” (Heb “bread”); so NAB, NASB, NCV.

[28:19]  ⁴ tn Heb “empty things” or “vain things”; NRSV “follows worthless pursuits.”

[28:19]  sn Prosperity depends on diligent work and not on chasing empty dreams. The proverb is essentially the same as Prov 12:11 except for the last expression.

[28:19]  ⁵ tn The repetition of the verb strengthens the contrast. Both halves of the verse use the verb יִשְׂבַּע (yisba’, “will be satisfied; will be filled with; will have enough”). It is positive in the first colon, but negative in the second – with an ironic twist to say one is “satisfied” with poverty.