Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

23 There is much food in the field of the poor,
    but it is swept away[a] by injustice.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:23 Literally “there is sweeping away”
  2. Proverbs 13:23 Literally “no justice”

31 A person who oppresses the poor insults his Maker,
but one who is gracious to the needy honors him.

Read full chapter

31 He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him,
    but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.

Read full chapter

15 All the days of an oppressed person are evil,
but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 The word celebration refers to a feast which includes drinking.

15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    but goodness of heart[a] is a continuous feast.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Or “mind”

Wisdom for a King and His Subjects

Better a little with righteousness
    than a large income without justice.

Read full chapter

Better is little with righteousness
    than great income with no justice.

Read full chapter

16 Whoever oppresses the poor to become great,
and whoever gives gifts to the rich—
both are sure to suffer loss.

Read full chapter

16 He who oppresses the poor in order to enrich himself,
    or gives to the rich, will come to poverty.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:16 Literally “only loss”

22 Do not rob a poor person because he is poor,
and do not crush an oppressed person in court,[a]
23 because the Lord will defend their cause,
and he will rob those who rob them of their lives.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:22 Literally in the city gate

22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
    and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 For Yahweh will plead their case
    and despoil those who despoil them of life.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:23 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

A righteous person acknowledges the rights of the poor,
but a wicked person does not understand such knowledge.

Read full chapter

The righteous knows the case of the poor,
    but the wicked does not understand knowledge.

Read full chapter

A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a driving rain that leaves no food.

Read full chapter

A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
    is a beating rain that leaves[a] no food.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Literally “and there is”

13 A poor person and an oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

Read full chapter

13 The poor and a man of oppression have this in common:
    Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:13 Literally “light of the eyes of the two of them”