Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses a poor man reproaches his maker, but he who has mercy on a needy man honors him.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
In Context
30A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh, but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
32An evil man is thrust down in his evil-doing, but a righteous man has hope in his death.
Cross References
Leviticus 25:35And if thy brother becomes poor, and his hand fails with thee, then thou shall uphold him; he shall live with thee [as] a stranger and a sojourner.
Psalms 12:5Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says LORD. I will set him in the safety he gasps for.
Proverbs 17:5He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 22:2The rich and the poor meet together. LORD is the maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:22Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate.
Matthew 25:40And having answered, the King will say to them, Truly I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of these my brothers, the least, ye did it to me.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:31
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. The foregoing verse showed how much our reputation, this how much our health, depends on the good government of our passions and the preserving of the temper of the mind. 1. A healing spirit, made up of love and meekness, a hearty, friendly, cheerful disposition, is the life of the flesh; it contributes to a good constitution of body; people grow fat with good humour. 2. A fretful, envious, discontented spirit, is its own punishment;… Read the whole commentary →