Proverbs 18:9 (KJV)

Passage

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "slothful", "brother", "great", and "waster". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "slothful" and "brother", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "The words of a talebearer are as..." into verse 10's "The name of the LORD is a...", so "slothful" and "brother" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "slothful" and "brother" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.