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Proverbs 14:23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips <i>tendeth</i> only to penury.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter <i>leads</i> only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, But mere talk <i>leads</i> only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, But mere talk <i>leads</i> only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In all painful labor there is profit, But <i>mere</i> words from the lips <i>lead</i> only to want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Hard work is worthwhile, but empty talk will make you poor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/14.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering leads to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In all labor there is advantage, "" And a thing of the lips [is] only to want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips is only to want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In all labor will be profit: and the word of the lips only to want.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In every work, there shall be abundance. But where there are many words, there is often need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to loss. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />In all labour there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />With every one <i>who is</i> careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/14-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2707" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">The Wise Woman</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">22</span>Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih&#183;yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">There is</a> <a href="/hebrew/4195.htm" title="4195: m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7791;&#257;r (N-ms) -- Abundance, preeminence. From yathar; literally, gain; figuratively, superiority.">profit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: b&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257;l (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6089.htm" title="6089: &#8216;e&#183;&#7779;e&#7687; (N-ms) -- An earthen vessel, toil, a pang. From atsab; an earthen vessel; usually toil; also a pang: grievous, idol, labor, sorrow.">labor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: &#363;&#183;&#7695;&#601;&#183;&#7687;a&#183;r&#347;- (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">but mere talk</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: p&#772;&#257;&#183;&#7791;a&#183;yim (N-fd) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin."></a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: &#8217;a&#7733;- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">leads only</a> <a href="/hebrew/4270.htm" title="4270: l&#601;&#183;ma&#7717;&#183;s&#333;&#183;wr (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- A need, thing needed, poverty. Or machcor; from chacer; deficiency; hence, impoverishment.">to poverty.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a></span><br />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, &#8220;Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,&#8221; but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: &#8220;If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.&#8221; / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Proverbs 28:19</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:18</a></span><br />Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, &#8216;Lord, Lord,&#8217; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-23.htm">Colossians 3:23-24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-11</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:11-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></span><br />Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></span><br />The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a></span><br />The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.</p><p class="hdg">all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Proverbs 12:24</a></b></br> The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Proverbs 28:19</a></b></br> He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain <i>persons</i> shall have poverty enough.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-27.htm">John 6:27</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-10.htm">Proverbs 10:10</a></b></br> He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:3</a></b></br> For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice <i>is known</i> by multitude of words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a></b></br> For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/35-3.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-15.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-7.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-8.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">Penury</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-18.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-3.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Tendeth</a> <a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Tends</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-11.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-7.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-19.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Penury</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-13.htm">Poverty</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Tendeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Tends</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-28.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">A wise woman builds her house</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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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 (<a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a>, <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:12</a>). This concept is also echoed in the New Testament, where Paul encourages believers to work with their hands and lead a quiet life (<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:11-12</a>). 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 (<a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15</a>).<p><b>but mere talk leads only to poverty</b><br>This part of the verse contrasts the benefits of labor with the futility of idle talk. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, words without action were seen as empty and unproductive. The Hebrew term for "mere talk" implies a lack of substance or follow-through, which can result in poverty, both materially and spiritually. This warning against idle chatter is consistent with other biblical teachings that stress the importance of action over words (<a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a>). The phrase also serves as a caution against deceit and false promises, which can lead to ruin (<a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4, 21</a>:5). In a broader sense, it underscores the biblical principle that faith without works is dead, encouraging believers to live out their faith through tangible actions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_diligence.htm">The Value of Diligence</a></b><br>Hard work is honored by God and leads to tangible benefits. In a world that often seeks shortcuts, diligence remains a timeless virtue.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idle_talk.htm">The Danger of Idle Talk</a></b><br>Words without action are empty. It's important to back up our intentions and promises with concrete efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/biblical_work_ethic.htm">Biblical Work Ethic</a></b><br>The Bible consistently teaches that work is a means of provision and stewardship. Christians are called to work diligently as unto the Lord.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_faith.htm">Practical Faith</a></b><br>Faith should be demonstrated through actions. Just as labor leads to profit, our faith should result in good works.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_time_and_talents.htm">Stewardship of Time and Talents</a></b><br>We are accountable for how we use our time and talents. Investing them wisely in labor that honors God is a form of stewardship.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_unemployment.htm">What does the Bible say about unemployment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_proverbs_say_on_laziness.htm">What does Proverbs say about lazy people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_labor_without_blessing.htm">(Psalm 127:2) How can we reconcile the idea that our labor is in vain without divine blessing with the evidence of personal accomplishments through diligence and skill alone? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_retirement.htm">What does the Bible say about saving for retirement?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In all labour there is profit.</span> All honest industry has a reward, and all care and pain borne for a good object bring comfort and content (comp. <a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Proverbs 10:22</a>). So the Greek distich says - <p><span class="greek">&#x1f0d;&#x3c0;&#x3b1;&#x3bd;&#x3c4;&#x3b1;&#x20;&#x3c4;&#x1f70;&#x20;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x3bb;&#x1f70;&#x20;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x1fe6;&#x20;&#x3c0;&#x3bf;&#x3bd;&#x3bf;&#x1fe6;&#x3bd;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3c2;&#x20;&#x3b3;&#x1f77;&#x3b3;&#x3bd;&#x3b5;&#x3c4;&#x3b1;&#x3b9;</span> <p><span class="accented">"To him who labours all fair things belong."</span> In contrast to the diligent are those who talk much and do nothing. But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury (<a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a>). 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" (<a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a>; <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a>). Septuagint, "In every one who taketh thought (<span class="greek">&#x3bc;&#x3b5;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3bc;&#x3bd;&#x1ff6;&#x3bd;&#x3c4;&#x3b9;</span>) there is abundance; he who liveth pleasantly and without pain shall be in want." Cato, 'Dist.,' 1:10 - <p><span class="foreign">"Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis:<br />Sermo datus cunctis, animi sapientia paucis."</span> . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/14-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">There is</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1460;&#1492;&#1456;&#1497;&#1462;&#1443;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(yih&#183;yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">profit</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;&#1464;&#1425;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7791;&#257;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4195.htm">Strong's 4195: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abundance, preeminence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in all</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1499;&#1464;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">labor,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1462;&#1453;&#1510;&#1462;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;e&#183;&#7779;e&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6089.htm">Strong's 6089: </a> </span><span class="str2">An earthen vessel, toil, a pang</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but mere talk</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1468;&#1491;&#1456;&#1489;&#1463;&#1512;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#363;&#183;&#7695;&#601;&#183;&#7687;a&#183;r&#347;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">leads only</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1463;&#1498;&#1456;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#7733;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to poverty.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1502;&#1463;&#1495;&#1456;&#1505;&#1469;&#1493;&#1465;&#1512;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;ma&#7717;&#183;s&#333;&#183;wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4270.htm">Strong's 4270: </a> </span><span class="str2">A need, thing needed, poverty</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:23 In all hard work there is profit (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/14-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 14:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/14-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 14:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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