Proverbs 18:23

23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

Proverbs 18:23 in Other Translations

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.

23 The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.

23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

23 A poor person is timid when begging, but a rich person is blunt when replying.

23 The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.

23 Poor people beg for mercy. But rich people answer in a mean way.

Proverbs 18:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:23

The poor useth entreaties
Or "supplications" ^F1; he is an humble supplicant to others for favours he asks in a submissive and lowly manner; he does not demand anything, nor prescribe what shall be done for him, but modestly tells his case, and submits it; so such who are poor in spirit are humble supplicants at the throne of grace; but the rich answereth roughly;
being proud and haughty, lifted up with their riches, and in fear of none, they answer others with hard and rough words, especially their inferiors, and particularly the poor. This is not what ought to be, but what commonly is. This verse and ( Proverbs 18:24 ) are not in the Arabic version.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Mynwnxt) "supplicationes", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 18:23 In-Context

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.