Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 21:13 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. "
Proverbs 21:13
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
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This verse gives the picture and the judgment of a person who has no charity, no loving concern for others. The man described here stops his ears when the poor cry out. He refuses to notice their need, their misery, and their requests for help. He will not even give them a hearing, and if he cannot avoid hearing them, he still will not care or be moved by their pleas. He closes off his compassion, and that is the same as stopping his ears (Acts 7:57).
His judgment is that he will one day be brought into trouble himself, and then he will cry out for help. But no one will hear him. People will treat him the way he treated others. God will also refuse his prayers, because the one who showed no mercy will face judgment without mercy (James 2:13). The one who would not give even a little bread on earth will be denied even a drop of water in hell. God will be deaf to the prayers of those who were deaf to the cries of the poor, and if their suffering is not heard by us, it will be heard against us (Exodus 22:23).
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From This Chapter
Proverbs 21:1
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
Proverbs 21:2
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."
Proverbs 21:3
"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:4
"An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin."
Proverbs 21:5
"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want."
Proverbs 21:6
"The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."
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