Proverbs 21:13

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, He will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom; When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, And brings the wicked to ruin.

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, He will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; And a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.