English Standard Version
Proverbs 16:26
26A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
Proverbs 16:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
- New International Version (NIV)The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.
- New Living Translation (NLT)It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
Context of Proverbs 16:26
24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. 27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:26 word by word
נֶ֣פֶשׁ עָ֭מֵל עָ֣מְלָה לּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־אָכַ֖ף עָלָ֣יו פִּֽיהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:26
- Proverbs 9:12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
- Proverbs 14:23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
- Ecclesiastes 6:7All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26He that laboureth - No thanks to a man for his labor and industry; if he do not work he must starve.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26He that laboreth - literally, as in the margin, i. e., “The desire of the laborer labors for him” (or, helps him in his work), “for his mouth urges him on.” Hunger of some kind is the spring of all hearty labor. Without that the man would sit down and take his ease. So also, unless there is a hunger in the soul, craving to be fed, there can be no true labor after righteousness and wisdom (compare Matthew 5:6).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 16
- 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