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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm" title="Proverbs 14:30">◄</a> Proverbs 14:31 <a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm" title="Proverbs 14:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.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/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor taunts <i>and</i> insults his Maker, But he who is kind <i>and</i> merciful <i>and</i> gracious to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you mistreat the poor, you insult your Creator; if you are kind to them, you show him respect. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that hath mercy on the needy honoureth him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator, but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An oppressor of the poor reproaches his Maker, "" And whoever is honoring Him "" Is favoring the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An oppressor of the poor reproacheth his Maker, And whoso is honouring Him Is favouring the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He oppressing the poor reproached him making him: and he honoring him compassionated the needy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his Maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever slanders the indigent argues against his Maker. But he who has compassion on the poor honors his Maker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who oppresses the poor provokes his Maker; but he who honors the LORD has mercy on the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that oppresses the poor is very evil; he angers him who made him; he that honors LORD JEHOVAH shows mercy upon the afflicted.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker; But he that is gracious unto the needy honoureth Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/14-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2763" 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/14.htm">The Wise Woman</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6231.htm" title="6231: ʿō·šēq- (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To oppress, wrong, extort. A primitive root; to press upon, i.e. Oppress, defraud, violate, overflow.">Whoever oppresses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: dāl (Adj-msc) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/2778.htm" title="2778: ḥê·rêp̄ (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter.">taunts</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śê·hū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">their Maker,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2603.htm" title="2603: ḥō·nên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore.">but whoever is kind</a> <a href="/hebrew/34.htm" title="34: ’eḇ·yō·wn (Adj-ms) -- In want, needy, poor. From 'abah, in the sense of want; destitute.">to the needy</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: ū·mə·ḵab·bə·ḏōw (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">honors Him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.…<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="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a></span><br />And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-5.htm">James 2:5-6</a></span><br />Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? / But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a></span><br />Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-20.htm">Luke 6:20-21</a></span><br />Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. / Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-15.htm">Job 31:15-20</a></span><br />Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb? / If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, / if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-10.htm">Galatians 2:10</a></span><br />They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-11</a></span><br />If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Psalm 41:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a></span><br />“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22-23</a></span><br />Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, / for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a></span><br />For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Luke 14:13-14</a></span><br />But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honors him has mercy on the poor.</p><p class="hdg">that oppresseth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Proverbs 17:5</a></b></br> Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: <i>and</i> he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Proverbs 22:2,16,22,23</a></b></br> The rich and poor meet together: the LORD <i>is</i> the maker of them all… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-13.htm">Job 31:13-16</a></b></br> If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; … </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Proverbs 14:21</a></b></br> He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy <i>is</i> he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a></b></br> He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a></b></br> And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done <i>it</i> unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done <i>it</i> unto me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/44-16.htm">Blasphemeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-33.htm">Contempt</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Favouring</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Honoreth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Honors</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Honoureth</a> <a href="/esther/6-7.htm">Honouring</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/psalms/149-2.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-22.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-28.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">Oppresses</a> <a href="/job/40-23.htm">Oppresseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-31.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/psalms/119-42.htm">Reproacheth</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-18.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-16.htm">Shows</a> <a href="/psalms/119-42.htm">Taunts</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Blasphemeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Contempt</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Favouring</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Honoreth</a> <a href="/daniel/2-48.htm">Honors</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Honoureth</a> <a href="/daniel/4-37.htm">Honouring</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Insults</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-6.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppresses</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppresseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-16.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-15.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-5.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Reproacheth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-34.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-5.htm">Shows</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Taunts</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">A wise woman builds her house</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/14.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Whoever oppresses the poor</b><br />The Hebrew word for "oppresses" is "עָשַׁק" (ashaq), which conveys a sense of exploiting or taking advantage of someone. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the poor were often vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of resources and social standing. This phrase highlights a moral and ethical obligation to treat the poor with justice and compassion, reflecting God's own concern for the marginalized. The Bible consistently emphasizes that God is a defender of the poor and expects His followers to act justly towards them.<p><b>taunts their Maker</b><br />The word "taunts" comes from the Hebrew "חֵרֵף" (cheref), meaning to reproach or insult. This phrase suggests that oppressing the poor is not merely a social injustice but a direct affront to God Himself, who is the "Maker" of all people. The term "Maker" underscores the belief that all humans are created in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>), and thus, any mistreatment of a person is an insult to their Creator. This reflects a deep theological truth that our actions towards others are intrinsically linked to our relationship with God.<p><b>but whoever is kind to the needy</b><br />The Hebrew word for "kind" is "חָנַן" (chanan), which implies showing favor, grace, or mercy. This phrase contrasts the previous one by highlighting the virtue of kindness, which is a reflection of God's own character. The "needy" refers to those who are in want or distress, and the call to be kind to them is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of mercy and compassion. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who often spoke about caring for the least among us (<a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a>).<p><b>honors Him</b><br />The act of honoring God is expressed through the Hebrew word "כָּבֵד" (kaved), which means to give weight or significance. By being kind to the needy, one gives due reverence to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and His heart for justice and mercy. This phrase encapsulates the biblical principle that true worship and honor of God are demonstrated through our actions towards others, particularly those in need. It serves as a reminder that our faith is not just a matter of belief but is evidenced by our deeds, as echoed in <a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a>, "faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Reproacheth his Maker.--</span>For having placed him in such a lowly condition. The equality of all men, as being all of them the work of God, is taught by <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm" title="So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.">Genesis 1:27</a>; <a href="/job/31-15.htm" title="Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?">Job 31:15</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm" title="The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.">Proverbs 22:2</a>. The duty of aiding the poor is in <a href="/matthew/25-40.htm" title="And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.">Matthew 25:40</a> based on the still higher ground of the union of Christ with His people, which makes Him regard good done to them as done to Himself.<p><span class= "bld">But he that honoureth him </span>. . .--This would be better rendered, <span class= "ital">but he that hath mercy on the poor honoureth Him.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker,</span> even God. who hath placed men in their several conditions (<a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Proverbs 17:5</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Proverbs 22:2</a>). "The poor shall never cease out of the land" (<a href="/deuteronomy/15-11.htm">Deuteronomy 15:11</a>); "The poor ye have always with you," said Christ (<a href="/matthew/26-11.htm">Matthew 26:11</a>); therefore to harass and oppress the poor because he is in this lowly condition, is virtually to arraign the providence of God, who is the Father of all, and has made all men brothers, however differing in worldly position. Christ puts the duty of aiding the poor on the high ground of his solidarity with his people (<a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40, 45</a>), how that in ministering unto the least of these his brethren men are ministering unto him. "Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord" (Ecclus. 11:14). Even the heathen could say - <p><span class="greek">Ἀεὶ νομίζονθ οἱ πένητες τῶν Θεῶν</span>. <p><span class="accented">Deem ever that the poor are God's own gift."</span> Septuagint, "He that calumniates (<span class="greek">συκοφανῶν</span>; <span class="accented">calumniatur</span>, Vulgate) the poor angers him who made him." This version refers to oppression of the poor by means of calumny or false and frivolous accusation. <span class="cmt_word">But he that honoureth him</span> - the Lord - <span class="cmt_word">hath mercy on the poor;</span> or, better, <span class="accented">he that hath mercy upon the poor honoureth him</span>; for he shows that he has proper regard to God's ordinance, acts on high motives, and is not led astray by worldly considerations. Christ himself has consecrated poverty by coming in low estate (<a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a>), and they who love and honour him are glad to minister to his brethren in their poverty and distress (comp. <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/14-31.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">He who oppresses</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹ֣שֵֽׁק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·šêq-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6231.htm">Strong's 6231: </a> </span><span class="str2">To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poor</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּ֭ל</span> <span class="translit">(dāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1800.htm">Strong's 1800: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dangling, weak, thin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">taunts</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵרֵ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·rêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2778.htm">Strong's 2778: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their Maker,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·śê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but whoever is kind</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹנֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·nên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2603.htm">Strong's 2603: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the needy</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶבְיֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(’eḇ·yō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> </span><span class="str2">In want, needy, poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">honors Him.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מְכַבְּד֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·ḵab·bə·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 14:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 14:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 14:32" /></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>