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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Much food <i>is in</i> the tillage of the poor: but there is <i>that is</i> destroyed for want of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Much food <i>is in</i> the fallow <i>ground</i> of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abundant food <i>is in</i> the uncultivated ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Abundant food <i>is in</i> the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Abundant food <i>is in</i> the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor, But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Much food is in the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Even when the land of the poor produces good crops, they get cheated out of what they grow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When poor people are able to plow, there is much food, but a person is swept away where there is no justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Unused fields could yield plenty of food for the poor, but unjust people keep them from being farmed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The field of the poor may produce much food, but it can be swept away through injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There is abundant food in the field of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, but injustice sweeps it away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Abundance of food—the tillage of the poor, "" And substance is consumed without judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Much food to the fallow ground of the poor: and in no judgment there is destroying.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered with out judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tillage of the poor yields abundant food, but possessions are swept away for lack of justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The field of the poor may yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Those who do not understand the manner of life are destroyed by riches; yea, many men are destroyed completely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Those who do not see the way of life for themselves destroy many years of wealth, and some are destroyed utterly.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Much food is in the tillage of the poor; But there is that is swept away by want of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/13-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2518" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm">A Father's Discipline</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: rāḇ- (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">Abundant</a> <a href="/hebrew/400.htm" title="400: ’ō·ḵel (N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; food.">food</a> <a href="/hebrew/5215.htm" title="5215: nîr (N-msc) -- Plowing, freshly plowed land. Or nir; from niyr; properly, plowing, i.e. freshly plowed land.">is in the fallow ground</a> <a href="/hebrew/7326.htm" title="7326: rā·šîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be in want or poor. A primitive root; to be destitute.">of the poor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: bə·lō (Prep-b:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but without</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: wə·yêš (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">it is</a> <a href="/hebrew/5595.htm" title="5595: nis·peh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To sweep or snatch away, catch up. A primitive root; properly, to scrape together or away.">swept away.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8</a></span><br />Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a></span><br />Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a></span><br />Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a></span><br />They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15-21</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a></span><br />“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></span><br />The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Habakkuk 2:6-9</a></span><br />Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’ / Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey. / Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Proverbs 22:16</a></span><br />Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:8</a></span><br />If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-2.htm">Job 24:2-4</a></span><br />Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks. / They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge. / They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-25</a></span><br />Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.</p><p class="hdg">food</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11,14</a></b></br> He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain <i>persons is</i> void of understanding… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Proverbs 27:18,23-27</a></b></br> Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Proverbs 28:19</a></b></br> He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain <i>persons</i> shall have poverty enough.</p><p class="hdg">destroyed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-11</a></b></br> Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-5.htm">Proverbs 11:5,6</a></b></br> The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/112-5.htm">Psalm 112:5</a></b></br> A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-11.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-20.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-5.htm">Fallow</a> <a href="/psalms/132-6.htm">Field</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/psalms/64-6.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/psalms/135-14.htm">People's</a> <a href="/psalms/129-3.htm">Ploughed</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-8.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-14.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-6.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-27.htm">Sweeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Swept</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-37.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-12.htm">Yields</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-11.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Fallow</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Field</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-10.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/songs/6-12.htm">People's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Ploughed</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-20.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-20.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-11.htm">Sweeps</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-22.htm">Swept</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-24.htm">Yields</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/13-1.htm">a scoffer does not listen to rebuke</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor</b><br>This phrase highlights the potential and resources available even in seemingly unproductive or neglected areas. In ancient agrarian societies, fallow ground referred to land that was left unplanted to restore its fertility. The poor, often lacking resources to cultivate their land, still possess the potential for abundance. This reflects the biblical principle that God provides for all, and even the least likely places can yield great blessings. The concept of fallow ground is also a metaphor for spiritual readiness, as seen in <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a>, where breaking up fallow ground symbolizes preparing one's heart for righteousness.<p><b>but without justice it is swept away</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the importance of justice in maintaining and realizing potential. In biblical times, justice was a central theme, often associated with righteousness and fairness. The absence of justice can lead to the loss of resources and opportunities, as corruption and exploitation prevent the poor from benefiting from their potential. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes God's concern for justice, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>, which calls for defending the oppressed. The sweeping away of resources without justice serves as a warning against societal structures that perpetuate inequality and highlights the need for godly governance and stewardship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_poor.htm">The Poor</a></b><br>This refers to individuals who lack material wealth or resources. In the context of this proverb, they possess potential resources (fallow ground) that are not fully realized due to external injustices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/fallow_ground.htm">Fallow Ground</a></b><br>This is land that is left unplowed and unseeded for a period to restore its fertility. It symbolizes untapped potential or resources that could yield abundance if properly utilized.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/justice.htm">Justice</a></b><br>In this context, justice refers to fairness and righteousness in societal structures and personal interactions. The lack of justice results in the poor being unable to benefit from their potential resources.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_potential.htm">Recognizing Potential</a></b><br>The proverb teaches us to see the potential in what may seem unproductive or overlooked, such as the fallow ground of the poor. We should seek to cultivate and develop these resources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_justice.htm">The Role of Justice</a></b><br>Justice is crucial in ensuring that everyone can benefit from their potential resources. As Christians, we are called to advocate for justice and fairness in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, ensuring they are used to benefit all, especially the marginalized.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_poor.htm">Compassion for the Poor</a></b><br>This verse challenges us to have compassion for the poor and to work towards systems that allow them to thrive rather than be swept away by injustice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>The church community should be a place where the needs of the poor are met, and their potential is nurtured through support and empowerment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_corporal_punishment.htm">What does the Bible say about corporal punishment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_history_show_'righteous'_leaders_fail.htm">Proverbs 29:2 says people rejoice under righteous rulers; how does that hold up against historical instances where 'righteous' leaders failed to foster joy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_16_4_imply_god_created_evil.htm">Proverbs 16:4 states God made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster--doesn't this suggest a divine origin for evil, conflicting with the idea of a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_god's_forgiveness_universal.htm">Why doesn't God forgive everyone unconditionally?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Tillage.</span>--Properly, <span class= "ital">the newly-made field, </span>on which much labour has been expended. The poor hardworking man, by God's blessing, gains an abundant living, while many (rich persons) are ruined for their neglect of what is right.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Much food is in the tillage</span> (tilled ground) <span class="cmt_word">of the poor</span> (<a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a>). The word rendered "tillage" (<span class="accented">nir</span>) means ground worked for the first time, and therefore that on which much labour is bestowed. Hence the Vulgate rightly renders, <span class="accented">novalibus.</span> It occurs in <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Jeremiah 4:3</a> and <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a>, where our version has "fallow ground." The poor, but righteous man, who industriously cultivates his little plot of ground, secures a good return, and is happy in eating the labour of his hands (<a href="/psalms/128-2.htm">Psalm 128:2</a>). Intend of "the poor," the Vulgate has, "the fathers," taking <span class="hebrew">ראשים</span> in this sense; so that the meaning would be that children who properly cultivate their paternal or hereditary fields obtain good crops. But the Authorized Version rendering is doubtless preferable. <span class="cmt_word">There is that is destroyed for want of judgment;</span> rather, as the Revised Version, <span class="accented">by reason of injustice.</span> Rich men are often brought to ruin by their disregard of right and justice (<span class="accented">mishpat</span>). Some (poor men) are amply supplied by honest labour; others (rich) lose all by wrong dealing. Vulgate, "For others it (food) is gathered contrary to justice;" Septuagint, quite astray, The righteous shall pass many years in wealth; but the unrighteous shall suddenly perish" - which seems to be an explanation or amplification of ver. 22. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/13-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Abundant</span><br /><span class="heb">רָב־</span> <span class="translit">(rāḇ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֭כֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḵel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_400.htm">Strong's 400: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is in] the fallow ground</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(nîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5215.htm">Strong's 5215: </a> </span><span class="str2">Plowing, freshly plowed land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the poor,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשִׁ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7326.htm">Strong's 7326: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be in want or poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but without</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">justice</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּֽט׃</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֵ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> </span><span class="str2">Being, substance, existence, is</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swept away.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(nis·peh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5595.htm">Strong's 5595: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sweep or snatch away, catch up</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:23 An abundance of food is in poor (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/13-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 13:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 13:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/13-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 13:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 13:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>