English Standard Version
Proverbs 14:21
21Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
- New Living Translation (NLT)It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
Context of Proverbs 14:21
19The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 22Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. 23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends 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 belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- Proverbs 17:5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
- Proverbs 18:3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
- Job 31:13"If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me,
- Job 35:5Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
- Psalms 22:24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
- Luke 18:9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
- James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
- Proverbs 14:31Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
- Proverbs 11:24One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
- Proverbs 19:17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
- Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening 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 begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
- Acts 20:35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
- Hebrews 6:12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit 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
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries