God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 14:21
21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to humble people.
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
19Evil people will bow to good people. Wicked people will bow at the gates of a righteous person. 20A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but a rich person is loved by many. Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to humble people. 22Don’t those who stray plan what is evil, while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good? 23In hard work there is always something gained, but idle 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 11:12A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.
- Proverbs 17:5Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker. Whoever is happy ⌞to see someone’s⌟ distress will not escape punishment.
- Proverbs 18:3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and insult comes along with disgrace.
- Job 31:13“If I have abused the rights of my servants, male or female, when they have disagreed with me,
- Job 35:5“Look at the heavens and see. Observe the clouds high above you.
- Psalms 22:24The Lord has not despised or been disgusted with the plight of the oppressed one. He has not hidden his face from that person. The Lord heard when that oppressed person cried out to him for help.
- Luke 18:9Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else.
- James 2:5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Didn’t God choose poor people in the world to become rich in faith and to receive the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
- Proverbs 14:31Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.
- Proverbs 11:24One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.
- Proverbs 19:17Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.
- Daniel 4:27“That is why, Your Majesty, my best advice is that you stop sinning, and do what is right. Stop committing the same errors, and have pity on the poor. Maybe you can prolong your prosperity.”
- Matthew 25:34“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
- Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you for something. If someone takes what is yours, don’t insist on getting it back.
- Acts 20:35I have given you an example that by working hard like this we should help the weak. We should remember the words that the Lord Jesus said, ‘Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.’ ”
- Hebrews 6:12Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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