English Standard Version
Proverbs 14:23
23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
Context of Proverbs 14:23
21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out 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 hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
- Proverbs 28:19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
- John 6:27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
- Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
- Proverbs 10:10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
- Ecclesiastes 5:3For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
- 1 Timothy 5:13Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries