Proverbs 21:13

13 He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear .

Proverbs 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:13

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor
For want of bread; or, "of the weak", as the Septuagint and other versions; for want of help and protection, when in the greatest distress; and, with the most pressing importunity, entreats his assistance, and yet refuses to hear him out: or, if he does, will not relieve him, which is all one as if he heard him not, or denied him a hearing; he also shall cry himself;
the Targum and Syriac version add, "unto God". The sense is, that even such an one shall be brought into the like distressed circumstances, when he shall make application to God, and to his fellow creatures, for relief and assistance: but shall not be heard;
a deaf ear will be turned to him by both: the same measure he has measured shall be measured to him again; no mercy shall be shown to an unmerciful man, either by God or man; see ( James 2:13 ) .

Proverbs 21:13 In-Context

11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear .
14 A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy is abominable with evil-doers.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.