People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
Parallel translations
- WEB People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
- KJV He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
- BSB The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
- NKJV The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
- NASB One who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
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
People curse those who hoard grain but bless those who sell it. Withholding needed goods for selfish gain earns reproach, while serving the common good earns goodwill.
Overview
In a time of scarcity, hoarding grain to drive up prices harmed the community and drew its curses, while fair selling brought blessing. The proverb condemns greed that exploits others' need and commends generosity that meets it. It reflects God's concern for justice and the welfare of neighbor that Christ's law of love fulfills.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Job 29:13the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
- Gen 42:6Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.
- Amos 8:4–6Hear this, you who desire to swallow up the needy, and cause the poor of the land to fail,
- Prov 24:24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him —
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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.
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Original language
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