Proverbs 14:23

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

21It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. 22If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! 24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

Proverbs 14:23 word by word

בְּכָל־עֶ֭צֶב יִהְיֶ֣ה מוֹתָ֑ר וּדְבַר־שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• In all labourעֶ֫צֶב‛etseb · toilH6089
• there is profitמוֹתָרmôthâr · advantageH4195
• but the talkדָּבָרdâbâr · word: becauseH1697
• of the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lip: wordsH8193
• only to penuryמַחְסוֹרmachsôr machsôr · needH4270

Cross-references for Proverbs 14:23

• Proverbs 12:24Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
• Proverbs 28:19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
• John 6:27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
• Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
• Proverbs 10:10People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.
• Ecclesiastes 5:3Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
• 1 Timothy 5:13And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.

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

• Idleness
• Industry

In the dictionaries

• Backslider
• Confident
• Crib
• Easy
• Envious
• Hasty
• Mock
• Poetry
• Prudent
• Rich

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