Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:23
23There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
- New International Version (NIV)All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
- English Standard Version (ESV)In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
Context of Proverbs 14:23
21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy. 22Don’t those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness. There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness. 25A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:23 word by word
בְּכָל־עֶ֭צֶב יִהְיֶ֣ה מוֹתָ֑ר וּדְבַר־שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:23
- Proverbs 12:24The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor.
- Proverbs 28:19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- John 6:27Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.”
- Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints — and by continuing to serve them.
- Proverbs 10:10A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed.
- Ecclesiastes 5:3Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
- 1 Timothy 5:13At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23In all labor there is profit - If a man work at his trade, he gains by it; if he cultivate the earth, it will yield an increase; and in proportion as he labors, so will be his profit: but he who talks much labors little. And a man words is seldom a man of deeds. Less talk and more work, is one of our own ancient advices.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The contrast between a single, thorough deed, and the mere emptiness of speech.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. labour--painful diligence. talk ... penury--idle and vain promises and plans.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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