The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Parallel translations
- WEB The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- BSB The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
- ESV A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
- NKJV The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- NASB The rich person’s wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
- NLT The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The rich man's wealth is his fortified city, while poverty is the ruin of the poor. Wealth gives a sense of security; poverty leaves one vulnerable.
Overview
This proverb observes a plain reality: riches function as protection while poverty exposes one to hardship. It is an observation about life's mechanics rather than an endorsement of trusting in wealth, which Proverbs elsewhere warns against (11:28). The true and lasting refuge is not riches but the Lord himself (Proverbs 18:10).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 18:11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
- Prov 19:7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
- Ps 52:7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
- Prov 14:20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
- Eccl 7:12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
- Prov 22:22–23Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
- 1 Tim 6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Ps 49:6They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
- Mark 10:24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
- Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
- Mic 2:1–2Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
- Job 31:24–25If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
- Jer 9:23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 10:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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