Proverbs 21:13

13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

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 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

14 A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

15 Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.