Proverbs 28:27

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

Proverbs 28:27 in Other Translations

KJV
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
ESV
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
NLT
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
MSG
27 Be generous to the poor - you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
CSB
27 The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

Proverbs 28:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack
That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed. Jarchi interprets this of a wise man not restraining doctrine from a disciple, but giving it to him liberally; but he that hideth his eyes;
that is, from the poor, as the Targum and Syriac version add; that does not care to see his person, to behold his miseries, or know his case, lest his heart should be moved with compassion, and should draw out anything from him; see ( Isaiah 58:7 ) . Such an one shall have many a curse;
not only from the poor he hardens himself against, but from other persons, who observe his miserable and covetous disposition; and from the Lord himself, who abhors such persons, and curses their very blessings now, and will bid them depart from him as accursed persons hereafter.

Proverbs 28:27 In-Context

25 The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 15:7; Deuteronomy 24:19; S Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:9
  • 2. S Psalms 109:17
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