Mishle 14:31

31 He that oppresseth the dal (poor) showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), but he that honoreth Him is kind to the evyon (needy).

Mishle 14:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker
That does him any injury, either by scoffing at him, and reproaching him for his poverty; or by vexatious law suits; or by withholding from him his wages; or not giving him that relief which he ought: such an one not only injures the poor man; but reproaches God that made him, not only a man, but a poor man; and who is the Maker of the rich man also, ( Proverbs 22:2 ) ; but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor;
he that is desirous of honouring God, and glorifying him, will give of his substance to the poor; having compassion on him in his necessitous circumstances, will relieve him; and in so doing he honours God, whose image the poor man bears, and who has commanded him so to do. The words may be rendered, "he that hath mercy on the poor honoureth him"; that is, his Maker: so the Targum,

``he that hath mercy on him that suffers injury honoureth him.''

Mishle 14:31 In-Context

29 He that is slow to wrath is of rav tevunah (great understanding), but he that is angrily impulsive exalteth folly.

30 A lev marpeh (sound mind) is life to the basar, but kinah (envy) is the rottenness of the atzmot (bones).

31 He that oppresseth the dal (poor) showeth contempt for his Oseh (Maker), but he that honoreth Him is kind to the evyon (needy).

32 The reshah is banished in his ra’ah, but the tzaddik hath refuge in his mot (death).

33 In the lev of the discerning reposes chochmah, but that which is in kesilim is made known.