16 The sluggard (עָצֵל, ’atsel) is the lazy or sluggish person (cf. “lazy person”; , “lazybones”).
17 The conjunction vav (ו) here has the classification of alternative, “or” (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 71, §433).
18 The adds a lengthy section at the end of the verse on the lesson from the bee: “Or, go to the bee and learn how diligent she is and how seriously she does her work—her products kings and private persons use for health—she is desired and respected by all—though feeble in body, by honoring wisdom she obtains distinction.” The Greek translator thought the other insect should be mentioned (see C. H. Toy, Proverbs [], ). Heb “its food.”

In other versions

Go to the ant, O sluggard;

consider her ways, and be wise.

Without having any chief,

officer, or ruler,

she prepares her bread in summer

and gathers her food in harvest.

Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander,

no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer

and gathers its food at harvest.

Go to the ant, you slacker!

Observe its ways and become wise.

Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

it prepares its provisions in summer;

it gathers its food during harvest.

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.

Learn from their ways and become wise!

Though they have no prince

or governor or ruler to make them work,

they labor hard all summer,

gathering food for the winter.

Go to the ant, lazy!

Consider its ways and be wise.

It has no chief,

officer, or ruler.

In the summer, it prepares its food;

in the harvest, it gathers its sustenance.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard;

Consider her ways, and be wise:

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer,

And gathereth her food in the harvest.

Public Domain