Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. New Living Translation Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. English Standard Version Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. Berean Standard Bible Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. King James Bible Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. New King James Version Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. New American Standard Bible One who shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor Will also call out himself, and not be answered. NASB 1995 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered. NASB 1977 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered. Legacy Standard Bible He who shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor Will himself also call and not be answered. Amplified Bible Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor Will cry out himself and not be answered. Christian Standard Bible The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. American Standard Version Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard. Contemporary English Version If you won't help the poor, don't expect to be heard when you cry out for help. English Revised Version Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered. Good News Translation If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard. International Standard Version Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered. NET Bible The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. New Heart English Bible Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. Webster's Bible Translation Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. World English Bible Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, "" He also cries, and is not answered. Young's Literal Translation Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered. Smith's Literal Translation He stopping his ear from the cry of the poor one also himself shall call and shall not be answered. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded. New American Bible Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves call out and not be answered. New Revised Standard Version If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who closes his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry to God, but he shall not answer him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He that shuts his ears that he will not hear the poor, he also will call out to God, and he will not answer him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered. Brenton Septuagint Translation He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The King's Heart…12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.… Cross References James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Matthew 25:41-46 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. / For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ ... Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 16:19-31 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ... Isaiah 58:6-7 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ... Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ... Psalm 41:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble. Ezekiel 18:12-13 He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations. / He engages in usury and takes excess interest. Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head. Job 31:16-23 If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, / if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— / though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow— ... Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Treasury of Scripture Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. stoppeth Psalm 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, at Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: … Nehemiah 5:1-5,13 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews… cry himself Proverbs 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: Psalm 18:41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Jump to Previous Closes Cry Ear Ears Heard Help Poor Shuts Shutting Stopped Stoppeth StopsJump to Next Closes Cry Ear Ears Heard Help Poor Shuts Shutting Stopped Stoppeth StopsProverbs 21 1. The king's heart in the hand of the LordWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor This phrase emphasizes the moral responsibility to respond to the needs of the impoverished. In ancient Israel, the Law of Moses included numerous provisions for the care of the poor, such as leaving gleanings in the fields (Leviticus 19:9-10) and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). The cultural context of the time placed a strong emphasis on community and mutual support, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. Ignoring the plight of the poor was seen as a violation of God's commands and a failure to reflect His character. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about caring for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40). he too shall cry out and receive no answer Persons / Places / Events 1. The PoorThis refers to individuals who are in need or lack resources. In the biblical context, the poor are often seen as those who are vulnerable and require assistance from others. 2. The One Who Shuts His Ears This person represents individuals who ignore or refuse to help those in need. The act of shutting one's ears symbolizes a deliberate choice to be indifferent to the plight of others. 3. The Cry This is the plea or call for help from those who are suffering or in need. It is a call for compassion and assistance. 4. The Consequence The event described is the reciprocal justice that occurs when the one who ignored the poor finds themselves in need and receives no help. Teaching Points The Call to CompassionAs Christians, we are called to be compassionate and responsive to the needs of the poor. Ignoring their cries is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Reciprocal Justice The principle of sowing and reaping is evident here. If we ignore others in their time of need, we may find ourselves without help when we are in need. Active Faith Our faith should be demonstrated through our actions. Helping the poor is a tangible expression of our faith and love for God. Eternal Perspective Our actions towards the poor have eternal implications. We are accountable to God for how we treat those in need. Community Responsibility The church community should be a place where the needs of the poor are addressed. We are called to work together to support those who are less fortunate. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21What hinders effective prayer? How should we treat the poor among us? How should we treat the poor among us? In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?(13) He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.--Because he showed no mercy. (Comp. Matthew 5:7; Matthew 18:30; James 2:13.)Verse 13. - Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor. A twofold retribution is threatened on the unmerciful man. He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. He himself shall tall into distress, and shall appeal to his neighbours for help in vain. "With the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38). This is true also in spiritual matters and in the final judgment (see on Proverbs 14:21 and Proverbs 19:17; and comp. Matthew 18:28, etc.; Matthew 25:41, etc.; James 2:13). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whoever shutsאֹטֵ֣ם (’ō·ṭêm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 331: To close, to contract his ears אָ֭זְנוֹ (’ā·zə·nōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear to the cry מִזַּעֲקַת־ (miz·za·‘ă·qaṯ-) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2201: A shriek, outcry of the poor, דָּ֑ל (dāl) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin he ה֥וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are too גַּֽם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and shall cry out יִ֝קְרָ֗א (yiq·rā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read and receive no answer. יֵעָנֶֽה׃ (yê·‘ā·neh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond Links Proverbs 21:13 NIVProverbs 21:13 NLT Proverbs 21:13 ESV Proverbs 21:13 NASB Proverbs 21:13 KJV Proverbs 21:13 BibleApps.com Proverbs 21:13 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 21:13 Chinese Bible Proverbs 21:13 French Bible Proverbs 21:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry (Prov. 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