Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:21
21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.
Proverbs 14:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
- New International Version (NIV)It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Context of Proverbs 14:21
19The evil bow before those who are good, and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous. 20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich. The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy. 22Don’t those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness. 23There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:21 word by word
בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חוֹטֵ֑א וּמְחוֹנֵ֖ן עֲנָוִ֣ים אַשְׁרָֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:21
- Proverbs 11:12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a person with understanding keeps silent.
- Proverbs 17:5The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.
- Proverbs 18:3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision.
- Job 31:13If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,
- Job 35:5Look at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you.
- Psalms 22:24For he has not despised or abhorred the torment of the oppressed. He did not hide his face from him but listened when he cried to him for help.
- Luke 18:9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:
- James 2:5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?
- Proverbs 14:31The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.
- Proverbs 11:24One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
- Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.
- Daniel 4:27Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don’t ask for them back.
- Acts 20:35In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- Hebrews 6:12so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth - To despise a man because he has some natural blemish is unjust, cruel, and wicked. He is not the author of his own imperfections; they did not occur through his fault or folly; and if he could, he would not retain them. It is, therefore, unjust and wicked to despise him for what is not his fault, but his misfortune. But he that hath mercy on the poor - Who reproaches no man for his poverty or scanty intellect, but…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor: See also Proverbs 3:27–28; 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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