Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 14:21
21Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is gracious to the needy is blessed.
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 men will bow in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is gracious to the needy is blessed. 22Indeed those who plot evil go astray but grace and truth come to those who plan good. 23In all hard work there is profit, but mere 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 11:12One who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but one with discernment remains silent.
- Proverbs 17:5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker. Whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
- Proverbs 18:3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
- Job 31:13“If I have denied justice to my male or female servant when they disputed with me,
- Job 35:5Look up at the heavens and see; consider the clouds so high above you.
- Psalms 22:24You who fear Adonai, praise Him! All Jacob’s descendants, glorify Him! Revere Him, all you seed of Israel.
- Luke 18:9Then Yeshua spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, while holding others in contempt.
- 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 promised to those who love Him?
- Proverbs 14:31The one who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
- Proverbs 11:24One gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unjustly, and comes to poverty.
- Proverbs 19:17One who is kind to the poor lends to Adonai, and Adonai will reward him for his good deed.
- Daniel 4:27the king exclaimed, “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
- 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 every one who asks you; and whoever takes something of yours, make no demands upon him.
- Acts 20:35In all things I have shown you an object lesson—that by hard work one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- Hebrews 6:12so you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those inheriting the promises through trust 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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