Proverbs 18:23

Poverty and the vulnerable Mercy and compassion

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
KJV: The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
WEB: The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
ASV: The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
DARBY: He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
BLB: [With] supplications the poor one speaks, and a rich one answers fiercely.

ÅB: I ydmyke bønner taler den fattige, men den rike svarer med hårde ord.
OTB: De fattige ber om nåde, men de rike svarer hardt.
B1930: I ydmyke bønner taler den fattige, men den rike svarer med hårde ord.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

James 2:3
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Read in context
James 1:9–11
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Read in context
Exodus 5:2
And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Read in context
James 2:6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Read in context
1 Samuel 25:17
Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
Read in context
Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Read in context
2 Kings 4:1–2
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
Read in context
Genesis 42:7
And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
Read in context