Proverbs 18:23 “The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.”

Proverbs 18:23

The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

World English Bible

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

American Standard Version

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

Geneva Bible 1599

The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.

Darby Translation

He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

Young's Literal Translation

[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

Bible in Basic English

The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

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Cross references

“poor”

James 1:9–11 Isaiah 66:2 Ruth 2:7 1 Samuel 2:36 Matthew 5:3 2 Kings 4:1

James 1:9–11 · BSB

The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

Isaiah 66:2 · BSB

Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Ruth 2:7 · BSB

She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.”

1 Samuel 2:36 · BSB

And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’”

Matthew 5:3 · BSB

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2 Kings 4:1 · BSB

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slave…

“rich”

James 2:3 Exodus 5:2 1 Samuel 25:17 Genesis 42:7 Genesis 42:30 1 Samuel 25:10

James 2:3 · BSB

If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”

Exodus 5:2 · BSB

But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

1 Samuel 25:17 · BSB

Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”

Genesis 42:7 · BSB

And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”

Genesis 42:30 · BSB

“The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country.

1 Samuel 25:10 · BSB

But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

Also

James 2:6

James 2:6 · BSB

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

Read Proverbs 18