Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 4 Holy Bible
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
read chapter 14 in ASV
Where there are no oxen, their food-place is clean; but much increase comes through the strength of the ox.
read chapter 14 in BBE
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
read chapter 14 in DARBY
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
read chapter 14 in KJV
read chapter 14 in WBT
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
read chapter 14 in WEB
Without oxen a stall `is' clean, And great `is' the increase by the power of the ox.
read chapter 14 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 4. - Where no oxen (cattle) are, the crib is clean. This does not mean, as some take it, that labour has its rough, disagreeable side, yet in the end brings profit; but rather that without bullocks to labour in the fields, or cows to supply milk - that is, without toil and industry, and necessary instruments - the crib is empty, there is nothing to put in the granary, there are no beasts to fatten. The means must be adapted to the end. Much increase is by the strength of the ox. This, again, is not an exhortation to kindness towards animals, which makes no antithesis to the first clause; but it is parallel with Proverbs 12:11, and means that where agricultural works are diligently carried on (the "ploughing ox" being taken as the type of industry), large returns are secured. Septuagint, "Where fruits are plentiful the strength of the ox is manifest."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean . . .--A proverb which may be taken in various ways. Some have seen in it an exhortation to kindness towards animals in consideration of their great usefulness. Others, that labour has its disagreeable aspect, but also brings its reward, whether material prosperity ("much increase") or a more enduring reward. (Comp. Galatians 6:9.)
