Proverbs 12:27

27. (Compare Pr 12:24). took in hunting--or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages. the substance ... precious--or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence." precious--literally, "honor" (Ec 10:1).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Verse 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting - Because he is a slothful man, he does not hunt for prey; therefore gets none, and cannot roast, that he may eat. There is some obscurity in the original on which the versions cast little light. Coverdale translates the whole verse thus: "A discreatfull man schal fynde no vauntage: but he that is content with what he hath, is more worth than golde." My old MS. Bible: The gylful man schal not fynd wynnynge: and the substance of a man schal ben the pris of gold. By translating hymr remiyah the deceitful, instead of the slothful man, which appears to be the genuine meaning of the word, we may obtain a good sense, as the Vulgate has done: "The deceitful man shall not find gain; but the substance of a (just) man shall be the price of gold." But our common version, allowing hymr remiyah to be translated fraudulent, which is its proper meaning, gives the best sense: "The fraudulent man roasteth not that which he took in hunting," the justice of God snatching from his mouth what he had acquired unrighteously. But the substance of a diligent man - One who by honest industry acquires all his property - is precious, because it has the blessing of God in it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain