Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 21:13
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.
Proverbs 21:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
- New International Version (NIV)Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Context of Proverbs 21:13
11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin. The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:13 word by word
אֹטֵ֣ם אָ֭זְנוֹ מִזַּעֲקַת־דָּ֑ל גַּֽם־ה֥וּא יִ֝קְרָ֗א וְלֹ֣א יֵעָנֶֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:13
- Psalms 58:4They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,
- Zechariah 7:11But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear.
- Acts 7:57They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him.
- Proverbs 28:27The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.
- Deuteronomy 15:7“If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your city gates in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.
- Nehemiah 5:1There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen.
- Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
- Isaiah 58:6Isn’t this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke?
- Jeremiah 34:16But you have changed your minds and profaned my name. Each has taken back his male and female slaves who had been set free to go wherever they wanted, and you have again forced them to be your slaves.
- James 2:13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Proverbs 1:28Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me.
- Psalms 18:41They cry for help, but there is no one to save them — they cry to the Lord, but he does not answer them.
- Luke 13:25once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us! ’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Whoso stoppeth his ears - See the conduct of the priest and Levite to the man who fell among thieves; and let every man learn from this, that he who shuts his ear against the cry of the poor, shall have the ear of God shut against his cry. The words are quite plain; there is no difficulty here.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 Such as oppress the poor by beating down wages, such as will not relieve according to their ability those in distress, and those in authority who neglect to do justice, stop their ears at the cry of the poor. But doubtless care is to be used in the exercise of charity.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Psa 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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