Proverbs 14:21

Despising one's neighbor is sin, but showing mercy to the poor brings blessing. God blesses compassion, not contempt.

Cross-references · 24

• Prov 11:12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
• Prov 28:27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
• Prov 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
• Prov 17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
• 1 Jn 3:17–22But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
• Prov 18:3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
• Prov 14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
• Job 31:13–15If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
• Prov 11:24–25There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
• Eccl 11:1–2Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
• Jas 2:14–16What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
• Acts 20:35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Ps 41:1–2Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
• Isa 58:7–12Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
• Job 35:5–6Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
• Ps 112:9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
• Heb 6:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• Matt 25:34–46Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
• Dan 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
• Ps 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
• Jas 2:5–6Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
• Ps 22:24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
• Luke 18:9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
• Luke 6:30–36Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.