14:23

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

23a
There is profit in all labor,

23b but mere talk leads only to poverty.

14:23a–b

There is profit…leads only to poverty: These parallel phrases contrast the results of hard work and mere talk. The word translated here as profit can also mean “abundance.” It refers to the benefit that a person gains from his work. In contrast, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as poverty is literally “scarcity.” It refers to a lack of the basic necessities for life (see the note on 6:11a–b).

all labor…mere talk: This proverb contrasts two kinds of people:

(a) a person who is industrious and works hard

(b) a person who is lazy and does not work, but merely talks

Some other ways to translate these two lines are:

In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty. (God’s Word)
-or-
Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor. (Good News Translation)

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