Bible Strands
Proverbs 23:4
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A wise instructor addresses a young person seated at the table of a wealthy or powerful host, warning against being drawn into the host's world of excess (v. 3).
The words — חֲדָל (cha.Dal) is a blunt imperative: "cease, desist," carrying the force of a hard stop rather than a gentle suggestion. The verb תִּיגַע (ti.Ga'), from the root נגע, suggests being entangled or caught up in labor, not merely working.
The thread — The same warning recurs in Proverbs 28:20 (the eager-to-be-rich "will not go unpunished"), Hebrews 13:5 (freedom from the love of money), and Matthew 6:19 (do not store up earthly treasures).
Why it lands — It does not say "be moderate" or "be content"; it commands a full stop on the labor of accumulating, framing the pursuit itself as the danger, not merely its failure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
- Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
- 1 Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
- Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- 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.”
- Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
- Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
- Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
- Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.