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 11:12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
• Prov 28:27One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
• Prov 19:17He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
• Prov 17:5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
• 1 Jn 3:17–22But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
• Prov 18:3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
• Prov 14:31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
• Job 31:13–15“If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me;
• Prov 11:24–25There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
• Eccl 11:1–2Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
• Jas 2:14–16What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
• Acts 20:35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
• Ps 41:1–2For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.
• Isa 58:7–12Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?
• Job 35:5–6Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
• Ps 112:9He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.
• Heb 6:12that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
• Matt 25:34–46Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
• Dan 4:27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.
• Ps 112:5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
• Jas 2:5–6Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
• Ps 22:24For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, Neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.
• Luke 18:9He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
• Luke 6:30–36Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back 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.