Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his re'a sinneth, 1 but he that is kind to the anayim (needy ones), happy is he. 1
Orthodox Jewish Bible
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 by his own re'a (neighbor), 1 but the oisher hath many friends. 1
22Do they not go astray that plot rah? 1 But chesed and emes shall be to them that plan tov. 1
Cross References
Job 31:13If I did despise the mishpat (cause) of my eved or of my amah, 1 when they contended with me, 1
Psalms 22:24Ye that fear Hashem, praise Him; 1 all ye Zera Ya'akov, give Him kavod; 1 and fear Him, all ye Zera Yisroel. 1
Psalms 41:2Blessed is he that considereth the helpless; 1 Hashem will deliver him in time of ra'ah (evil, trouble). 1
Psalms 112:9He hath contributed freely, he hath given to the evyonim (needy); 1 his tzedakah endureth forever; 1 his keren shall be lifted up in kavod. 1
Proverbs 11:24There is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth more; 1 and there is that which withholdeth more than is yosher, but it leadeth to machsor (want, need, poverty). 1
Proverbs 17:5He who mocketh the poor showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), 1 and he that gloats at calamities shall not go unpunished. 1
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 →