New King James Version
Proverbs 14:23
23In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter 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 Living Translation (NLT)Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
Context of Proverbs 14:23
21He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. 25A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.
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, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
- Proverbs 28:19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
- John 6:27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
- Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
- Proverbs 10:10He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall.
- Ecclesiastes 5:3For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
- 1 Timothy 5:13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought 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 King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries