Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Wealth (gotten) by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour (Hebrew, with the hand) shall increase - literally, 'wealth from (Hebrew, min (H4480)) vanity' (Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 20:21). The "vanity" here answers to "a slack (deceitful) hand," Proverbs 10:4, where cf. note. "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand." Thus, it stands in opposition to "he that gathereth with the hand" in the parallel clause. Wealth ill gotten is soon gone; but wealth gotten by honest labour remains sure. The "hand" here represents all honourable ways of industry, and is opposed to "vanity." [The Hebrew preposition as in some manuscripts, `ad (H5703), even unto the hand; in other manuscripts, `al (H5921), upon or under the hand - i:e., under the diligent custody (1 Samuel 17:22; 2 Chronicles 12:10). The sense with or by arises from the idea of dependence upon: so the Hebrew is used, Genesis 27:40, "By (literally, upon) thy sword shalt thou live." So here, 'He that gathereth depending upon labour.'] He that gathereth with unwearied assiduity, and by legitimate means, shall increase.