Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. New Living Translation Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! English Standard Version In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. Berean Standard Bible There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. King James Bible In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. New King James Version In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. New American Standard Bible In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. NASB 1995 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. NASB 1977 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. Legacy Standard Bible In all painful labor there is profit, But mere words from the lips lead only to want. Amplified Bible In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. Christian Standard Bible There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. Holman Christian Standard Bible There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. American Standard Version In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Contemporary English Version Hard work is worthwhile, but empty talk will make you poor. English Revised Version In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. GOD'S WORD® Translation In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty. Good News Translation Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor. International Standard Version In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering leads to poverty. Majority Standard Bible There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. NET Bible In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty. New Heart English Bible In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. Webster's Bible Translation In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. World English Bible In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn all labor there is advantage, "" And a thing of the lips [is] only to want. Young's Literal Translation In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips is only to want. Smith's Literal Translation In all labor will be profit: and the word of the lips only to want. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want. Catholic Public Domain Version In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need. New American Bible In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to loss. New Revised Standard Version In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIn all your labor there is profit; but he who is young is carefree and at ease. The LORD heals every wound; but the talk of the lips of the wicked tends only to poverty. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In all that concerns you, one thing is profitable, and he that is diminished in his way of life is quiet and will be pleasant. LORD JEHOVAH heals every sickness, and the speech of the lips of the evil damages them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917In all labour there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Brenton Septuagint Translation With every one who is careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Wise Woman…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.… Cross References James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ... 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.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, 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. Proverbs 12:11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 28:19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. James 1:22-25 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ... Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Proverbs 6:6-11 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ... 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. Treasury of Scripture In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury. all Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Proverbs 28:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. but Proverbs 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. Ecclesiastes 5:3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat… Jump to Previous Advantage Hard Labor Lips Makes Mere Penury Poor Poverty Profit Talk Tendeth Tends Toil Want WorkJump to Next Advantage Hard Labor Lips Makes Mere Penury Poor Poverty Profit Talk Tendeth Tends Toil Want WorkProverbs 14 1. A wise woman builds her houseThere is profit in all labor This phrase emphasizes the value of hard work, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the ancient Near Eastern context, labor was often manual and agricultural, reflecting the agrarian society of Israel. The Hebrew word for "profit" suggests a tangible benefit or gain, which aligns with the biblical principle that diligent work is rewarded (Proverbs 12:11, Ecclesiastes 5:12). This concept is also echoed in the New Testament, where Paul encourages believers to work with their hands and lead a quiet life (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). The idea of labor as profitable is not only economic but also spiritual, as it reflects God's design for humanity to be productive and steward the earth (Genesis 2:15). but mere talk leads only to poverty Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where agriculture and manual labor were common means of livelihood. The society valued hard work and diligence. 3. Wisdom Literature Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God. Teaching Points The Value of DiligenceHard work is honored by God and leads to tangible benefits. In a world that often seeks shortcuts, diligence remains a timeless virtue. The Danger of Idle Talk Words without action are empty. It's important to back up our intentions and promises with concrete efforts. Biblical Work Ethic The Bible consistently teaches that work is a means of provision and stewardship. Christians are called to work diligently as unto the Lord. Practical Faith Faith should be demonstrated through actions. Just as labor leads to profit, our faith should result in good works. Stewardship of Time and Talents We are accountable for how we use our time and talents. Investing them wisely in labor that honors God is a form of stewardship.Verse 23. - In all labour there is profit. All honest industry has a reward, and all care and pain borne for a good object bring comfort and content (comp. Proverbs 10:22). So the Greek distich says - Ἅπαντα τὰ καλὰ τοῦ πονοῦντος γίγνεται "To him who labours all fair things belong." In contrast to the diligent are those who talk much and do nothing. But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury (Proverbs 21:5). Those who work much get profit; those who talk much and do little come to want. So in spiritual matters Christ teaches that they who think that prayer is heard for much speaking are mistaken; and he adds, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 6:7; Matthew 7:21). Septuagint, "In every one who taketh thought (μεριμνῶντι) there is abundance; he who liveth pleasantly and without pain shall be in want." Cato, 'Dist.,' 1:10 - "Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis: Hebrew There isיִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be profit מוֹתָ֑ר (mō·w·ṯār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4195: Abundance, preeminence in all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every labor, עֶ֭צֶב (‘e·ṣeḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6089: An earthen vessel, toil, a pang but mere talk וּדְבַר־ (ū·ḏə·ḇa·rś-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause leads only אַךְ־ (’aḵ-) Adverb Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely to poverty. לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃ (lə·maḥ·sō·wr) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4270: A need, thing needed, poverty Links Proverbs 14:23 NIVProverbs 14:23 NLT Proverbs 14:23 ESV Proverbs 14:23 NASB Proverbs 14:23 KJV Proverbs 14:23 BibleApps.com Proverbs 14:23 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 14:23 Chinese Bible Proverbs 14:23 French Bible Proverbs 14:23 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:23 In all hard work there is profit (Prov. 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