¹⁵ Having lots of money protects the rich.
    But having no money destroys the poor.

²⁴ Some people give much but get back even more.
    But others don’t give what they should, and they end up poor.
²⁵ A person who gives to others will get richer.
    Whoever helps others will himself be helped.

²⁶ People curse someone who keeps all the grain for himself.
    But they bless a person who is willing to sell it.

²³ A poor man’s field might have plenty of food.
    But unfair people steal it from him.

²⁵ The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house.
    But he will protect the property of a widow.

⁵ If you make fun of the poor,
    you insult God, who made them.
If you laugh at someone’s trouble,
    you will be punished.

⁴ Wealthy people are always finding more friends.
    But the poor lose their friends.

⁷ A poor person’s relatives avoid him.
    Even his friends stay far away!
He runs after them, begging.
    But they are gone.

¹⁷ Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord.
    The Lord will reward you for what you have done.

¹³ If you ignore the poor when they cry for help,
    you also will cry for help and not be answered.

⁹ A generous person will be blessed
    because he shares his food with the poor.