Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.
Darby Translation
In The King James Version
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
In Context
20He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
22Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.
Cross References
Job 31:13If I have despised the cause of my bondman or of my bondmaid, when they contended with me,
Psalms 22:24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him: but when he cried unto him, he heard.
Psalms 41:2Jehovah will preserve him, and keep him alive; he shall be made happy in the land; and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
Psalms 112:9He scattereth abroad, he giveth to the needy; his righteousness abideth for ever: his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but [it tendeth] only to want.
Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
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 →