Proverbs 14:21

21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the needy.

Proverbs 14:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:21

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth
He that despiseth his neighbour in his heart, speaks slightly of him, overlooks him, is not friendly to him, will neither converse with him, nor relieve him in his necessity; for it seems to be understood of his poor neighbour; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "he that despiseth the poor"; that despises him for his poverty; because of his pedigree and education, and the low circumstances he is in; or on account of his weakness and incapacity, or any outward circumstance that attends him; such an one sins very greatly, is guilty of a heinous sin; and he will be reckoned and dealt with as a sinner, and be condemned and punished, and so be unhappy and miserable; but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he;
or,

``that gives to the poor,''

as the Targum; who has compassion on him in his distress, and shows it by relieving him: he that shows favour to the meek and humble ones, as the word ^F19 may be rendered, and as they generally are that are in affliction and poverty, for these tend to humble men; and such who regard them in their low estate are "happy" or blessed; they are blessed in things temporal and spiritual, and both here and hereafter; see ( Psalms 41:1-3 ) ( Matthew 5:7 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Mywne) "modestorum", Montanus, Mercerus; "mansuetos", Cocceius.

Proverbs 14:21 In-Context

19 Evil people will bow down before the good; wicked people are at the gates of the righteous.

20 Even their neighbors hate the poor, but many love the wealthy.

21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the needy.

22 Don't those who plan evil go astray? Those who plan good receive loyalty and faithfulness.

23 There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty.