Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 14:23 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. "
Proverbs 14:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.
22 Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
23 In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
25 A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
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Working without talking will make people rich. All labor, whether with the mind or with the hand, brings some gain. Hardworking people are usually the ones who prosper, because where there is real work done, there is something to show for it. A busy hand earns a living. It is good, then, to stay at work, stay active, and do with all your strength whatever your hand finds to do.
Talking without working will make people poor. Those who like to boast about their business, make a noise about it, or waste time in pointless chatter, listening to and repeating every new thing like the Athenians, lose what they have. This is true even when people claim they are trying to improve themselves through conversation, but they neglect the work that belongs to their place and their time. Their way of life leads to poverty, and it ends there.
The same is true in spiritual matters. Those who labor in serving God and press earnestly into prayer will find real benefit in it. But if a person’s religion is only words and noise, and prayer is only lip service, that person will be spiritually poor and end up with nothing.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 14:1
"Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands."
Proverbs 14:2
"He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him."
Proverbs 14:3
"The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them."
Proverbs 14:4
"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox."
Proverbs 14:5
"A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies."
Proverbs 14:6
"A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person."
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