Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious unto the humble, happy is he.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
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 poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
22Shall they not go astray that devise evil? But mercy and truth shall be for them that devise good.
Cross References
Job 31:13If I did despise the cause of my man-servant, or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me —
Psalms 22:24(22-25) For He hath not despised nor abhorred the lowliness of the poor; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.'
Psalms 41:2(41-3) The LORD preserve him, and keep him alive, let him be called happy in the land; and deliver not Thou him unto the greed of his enemies.
Psalms 112:9He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted in honour.
Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be 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 →