New English Translation
Proverbs 14:23
23In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings 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 is kind to the needy is blessed. 22Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love. In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly. 25A truthful witness rescues lives, but the one who breathes lies brings deception.
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 person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave.
- Proverbs 28:19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.
- John 6:27Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life – the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”
- Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.
- Proverbs 10:10The one who winks his eye causes trouble, and the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.
- Ecclesiastes 5:3Just as dreams come when there are many cares, so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”
- 1 Timothy 5:13And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries