Proverbs 14:21
Whoever despises his neighbor, sins. But whoever pities the poor shall be blessed. Whoever trusts in the Lord loves mercy.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
In Context
20The pauper will be hated, even by his own neighbor. Yet truly, the friends of the wealthy are many.
22They wander astray who work evil. But mercy and truth prepare good things.
Cross References
Job 31:13If I have despised being subject to judgment with my servant or my maid, when they had any complaint against me,
Psalms 41:2As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalms 112:9He causes a barren woman to live in a house, as the joyful mother of sons.
Proverbs 11:24Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.
Proverbs 17:5Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:21
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. This shows, not what should be, but what is the common way of the world—to be shy of the poor and fond of the rich. 1. Few will give countenance to those whom the world frowns upon, though otherwise worthy of respect: The poor, who should be pitied, and encouraged, and relieved, is hated, looked strange upon, and kept at a distance, even by his own neighbour, who, before he fell into disgrace, was intimate with him and pretended to… Read the whole commentary →