Proverbs 14:20
The poor is hated even by his own re'a (neighbor), 1 but the oisher hath many friends. 1
Orthodox Jewish Bible
In The King James Version
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
In Context
19The ra'im will bow before the tov'im, 1 and the resha'im at the she'arim of the tzaddik. 1
21He that despiseth his re'a sinneth, 1 but he that is kind to the anayim (needy ones), happy is he. 1
Cross References
Esther 3:2And all the avadim of HaMelech, that were in the Sha'ar HaMelech, bowed, and paid homage to Haman, for HaMelech had so commanded concerning him. But Mordechai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Job 6:21For now ye are become such; 1 ye see my chatat (casting down), and are afraid. 1
Job 30:10They abhor me, they flee far from me, 1 and spare not rok (spit) in my face. + 30:10 Mt 26:67 1
Proverbs 10:15The oisherʼs wealth is his strong city; 1 the destruction of the poor ones is their poverty. 1
Proverbs 19:6Rabbim (many) will entreat the favor of the ruler, 1 and every ish is the re'a (friend) to him that giveth mattan (gifts). 1
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:20
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. That is, 1. The wicked are oftentimes impoverished and brought low, so that they are forced to beg, their wickedness having reduced them to straits; while good men, by the blessing of God, are enriched, and enabled to give, and do give, even to the evil; for where God grants life we must not deny a livelihood. 2. Sometimes God extorts, even from bad men, an acknowledgement of the excellency of God's people. The evil ought always to bow… Read the whole commentary →