Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
In Context
13He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Cross References
Genesis 43:11And their father Israel said to them, If it be so now, do this: Take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts, and almonds.
Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
Proverbs 18:16A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Matthew 6:3But when thou do charity, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does,
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:14
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Here we have the description and doom of an uncharitable man. 1. His description: He stops his ears at the cry of the poor, at the cry of their wants and miseries (he resolves to take no cognizance of them), at the cry of their requests and supplications—he resolves he will not so much as give them the hearing, turns them away from his door, and forbids them to come near him, or, if he cannot avoid hearing them,… Read the whole commentary →