¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,^(A)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.^(B)

²⁴ One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵ A generous^(A) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.^(B)

²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud,^(A)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.^(B)

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor^(A) shows contempt for their Maker;^(B)
    whoever gloats over disaster^(C) will not go unpunished.^(D)

⁴ Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.^(A)

⁷ The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!^(A)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.^[a](B)

¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,^(A)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.^(B)

¹³ Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out^(A) and not be answered.^(B)