Proverbs 14:23
Proverbs 14:23 in Multiple Translations
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor.
There's profit in hard work, but just talking leads to poverty.
In all labour there is abundance: but the talke of the lippes bringeth onely want.
In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips [is] only to want.
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.
If you work hard, you will ◄accomplish something good/get a good income►, but if all you do is to talk and not work, you will remain poor.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 14:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 14:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/כָל
עֶ֭צֶב
יִהְיֶ֣ה
מוֹתָ֑ר
וּ/דְבַר
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
אַךְ
לְ/מַחְסֽוֹר
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
עֶ֭צֶב
ʻetseb
H6089
toil
N-ms
יִהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מוֹתָ֑ר
môwthâr
H4195
advantage
N-ms
וּ/דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Conj | N-ms
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
לְ/מַחְסֽוֹר
machçôwr
H4270
need
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 14:23
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֶ֭צֶב
ʻetseb
H6089
"toil"
N-ms
An earthen vessel or a painful toil, this word can also describe a pang of body or mind, like the labor pains of a woman in John 16:21 or the sorrow of the prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 1:12.
Definition: 1) pain, hurt, toil, sorrow, labour, hardship 1a) pain 1b) hurt, offense 1c) toil, hardship
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: grievous, idol, labor, sorrow. See also: Genesis 3:16; Proverbs 10:22; Psalms 127:2.
יִהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מוֹתָ֑ר
môwthâr
H4195
"advantage"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means advantage or superiority, and is used in books like Proverbs and Isaiah. It can refer to having more than enough, or being better than others. In the Bible, this concept is often associated with wisdom and humility.
Definition: 1) pre-eminence, abundance, profit, superiority 1a) abundance, plenty 1b) pre-eminence, superiority
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: plenteousness, preeminence, profit. See also: Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 21:5; Ecclesiastes 3:19.
וּ/דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Conj | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
לְ/מַחְסֽוֹר
machçôwr
H4270
"need"
Prep | N-ms
This word describes a lack or shortage of something, like a need for food or money. It is used in the Bible to describe poverty and want. In Deuteronomy 15:8, God commands the Israelites to lend to those in need.
Definition: 1) need, poverty, thing needed 1a) need, thing needed 1b) lack, want 1c) need, poverty
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: lack, need, penury, poor, poverty, want. See also: Deuteronomy 15:8; Proverbs 11:24; Psalms 34:10.
Study Notes — Proverbs 14:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 14:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 14:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
- Sermons on Proverbs 14:23
Context — The Wise Woman
21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
22Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.
23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. 25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:19 | The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. |
| 2 | Proverbs 12:24 | The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
| 3 | 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 | For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 5:3 | As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. |
| 5 | Hebrews 6:10–11 | For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. |
| 6 | John 6:27 | Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” |
| 7 | Proverbs 10:10 | He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. |
| 8 | 1 Timothy 5:13 | At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. |
Proverbs 14:23 Summary
This verse means that when we work hard and put in effort, we will see benefits and rewards, but if we just talk and don't take action, we will end up with nothing. It's like the difference between planting a seed and actually watering and tending to it, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where the master rewards the servants who invest and work hard. By prioritizing hard work and diligent effort, we can avoid poverty and see profit in our lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:4. Remember, it's not just about talking, but about taking action and being a doer of the word, as reminded in James 1:22-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that there is profit in all labor?
This means that hard work and diligence will ultimately lead to reward and benefit, as seen in Proverbs 22:29, which says that a skilled worker will stand before kings.
Is it wrong to talk and plan, or is it just idle talk that leads to poverty?
It's not talking or planning itself that's the problem, but rather idle or empty talk that doesn't lead to action, as warned against in James 1:23-24, which emphasizes the importance of being a doer of the word, not just a hearer.
How can I apply this verse to my everyday life?
By prioritizing hard work and diligent effort, and avoiding idle chatter or talk that doesn't lead to action, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24, which reminds us to work heartily for the Lord.
What kind of poverty is being referred to in this verse?
The poverty referred to here is not just financial, but also spiritual and emotional, as seen in Proverbs 10:4, which warns that lazy hands lead to poverty, while diligent hands bring wealth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I can apply the principle of diligent labor to see profit and reward?
- How can I discern between idle talk and productive conversation that leads to action?
- What are some ways I can prioritize hard work and effort in my daily tasks and responsibilities?
- How can I balance planning and talking with taking action and being a doer of the word?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit,.... Or "abundance" (u); much is got by it, food, raiment, riches, wealth, wisdom, honour; either with the labour of the hands or head, and nothing is to be got without
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. In all labour (Hebrew, painful labour) there is profit: but the talk of the lips (tendeth) only to penury.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
Diligent labour is the ready way to riches, but idle talking, wherein too many spend most of their precious thee, will bring a man to poverty.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.Ver. 23. In all labour there is profit.] In all honest labour, for there are those who "do wickedly with both hands earnestly"; and "what profit have such of all their labour?" Do they not take pains to go to hell? There are also that labour about ματαιοτεκνηματα, toilsome toys that pay not for the pains - that do magno conatu magnas nugas agere. Such a one was Paleottus, Archbishop of Bonony, who made a great book of the shadow of Christ’ s body in a sindon; and it was commented upon by the professor there. This Aristotle calls ‘ laborious loss of time.’ The apostle calls upon men to "labour, working with their hands the thing that is good"; so shall "they have," not for their own uses only, but also "to give to him that needeth." But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.] Great talkers are do-littles, for the most part. Corniculas citius in Africa, quam res rationesque solidus in Turriani scriptis invenies, saith one; - Turrian was a very wordy man; ye cannot find matter, for words, in him; - λογουςμεν Eρμοδωροςεμπορευεται. The Athenians fought against Philip with words and messages, saith one; but Rabshekah could tell Hezekiah that war was to be made - so is work to be done - not with words and the talk of the lips, but with counsel and strength. And "why stand you looking upon one another? Get you down to Egypt," said Jacob to his sons. τοτουχρονουπαραναλωμα.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
Verse 23. In all labour 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 labours, so will be his profit: but he who talks much labours little. And a man of words is seldom a man of deeds. Less talk and more work, is one of our own ancient advices.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 14:23
The contrast between a single, thorough deed, and the mere emptiness of speech.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:23
23. Profit — Something to show for the toil. Talk of the lips — Literally, word or thing of the lips, that which is only of the lips — mere talk. Only to penury — To lack or want.
Sermons on Proverbs 14:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Idleness and Busyness by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the dangers that Christians may encounter on their spiritual journey. The speaker emphasizes the importance of walking circumspectly and not b |
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27 - Ministry Plans for Work Camp Schools by Ben Torrey | The sermon transcript discusses the daily work and activities at the 3C's ranch, where participants engage in various tasks such as weeding, cleaning, and preparing pastures. The w |
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Idleness Is the Enemy of the Soul by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of staying occupied with both manual labor and sacred reading to combat idleness, which is seen as the enemy of the soul. He provid |
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Are You Ready for a Relationship? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of media and video games on our perception of reality. He highlights how the constant bombardment of fantastical images and experie |
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(Proverbs) ch.28:19 - 29:17 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in our daily lives, even in our interactions with others. He highlights Proverbs 28:20, which warns against the |
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Self-Ends by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of diligence and obedience to the Light within each individual, urging Friends to avoid slothfulness and to maintain a lively spirit in their f |
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Jotham Became Mighty, Because He by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways, illustrating that success in life is closely tied to orderliness and method. He argues that a truly hol |