Proverbs 14:21

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 the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [man]. 20He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he. 22Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good. 23In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to want.

Proverbs 14:21 word by word

בָּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חוֹטֵ֑א וּמְחוֹנֵ֖ן עֲנָוִ֣ים אַשְׁרָֽיו׃Read the interlinear

• afflictedעָנִי‛ânîy · afflictedH6041

Cross-references for Proverbs 14:21

• Proverbs 11:12He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
• Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
• Proverbs 18:3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
• Job 31:13If I have despised the cause of my bondman or of my bondmaid, when they contended with me,
• Job 35:5Look unto the heavens and see; and survey the skies: they are higher than thou.
• Psalms 22:24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him: but when he cried unto him, he heard.
• Luke 18:9And he spoke also to some, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and made nothing of all the rest [of men], this parable:
• James 2:5Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?
• Proverbs 14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.
• Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but [it tendeth] only to want.
• Proverbs 19:17He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
• Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the] world's foundation:
• Luke 6:30To every one that asks of thee, give; and from him that takes away what is thine, ask it not back.
• Acts 20:35I have shewed you all things, that thus labouring [we] ought to come in aid of the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Hebrews 6:12that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience have been inheritors of the promises.

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

• Happiness
• Kindness
• Liberality
• Mercy
• Poor
• Pride

In the dictionaries

• Backslider
• Confident
• Crib
• Easy
• Envious
• Hasty
• Mock
• Poetry
• Prudent
• Rich

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