Proverbs 21:13

13 He who ¹shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be ²answered.

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 the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 18:30-34; 1 John 3:17
• 2. James 2:13