¹⁵ A rich person’s wealth is his strong city.
Poverty is the ruin of poor people.

²⁴ One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases.
Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty.
²⁵ A person who spreads blessings will be enriched.
One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed.
²⁶ People curse the person who hoards grain,
but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it.

²³ The farmland of the poor may produce much food,
but it may be swept away by injustice.

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the arrogant,
but he maintains the property line of a widow.

⁵ Whoever mocks a poor person insults his Maker.
A person who rejoices over calamity will not escape.

⁴ Wealth adds many friends,
but a poor person is deserted by his friend.

⁷ A poor person’s brothers all hate him.
Even his friends keep their distance from him!
Though he pursues them with words, they are not there.

¹⁷ A person who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord.
He will repay him in full.

¹³ Whoever shuts his ear to the cries of the poor—
he too will cry out and not be answered.

⁹ A generous person will be blessed,
because he gives some of his food to the poor.