Proverbs 13:8
New International Version
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

New Living Translation
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.

English Standard Version
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

Berean Standard Bible
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

King James Bible
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

New King James Version
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.

New American Standard Bible
The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.

NASB 1995
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.

NASB 1977
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor hears no rebuke.

Legacy Standard Bible
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.

Amplified Bible
The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].

Christian Standard Bible
Riches are a ransom for a person’s life, but a poor person hears no threat.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Riches are a ransom for a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

American Standard Version
The ransom of a man's life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.

Contemporary English Version
The rich may have to pay a ransom, but the poor don't have that problem.

English Revised Version
The ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth no threatening.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person's riches are the ransom for his life, but the poor person does not pay attention to threats.

Good News Translation
The rich have to use their money to save their lives, but no one threatens the poor.

International Standard Version
The life of a wealthy man may be held for ransom, but whoever is poor receives no threats.

Majority Standard Bible
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

NET Bible
The ransom of a person's life is his wealth, but the poor person hears no threat.

New Heart English Bible
The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.

Webster's Bible Translation
The ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

World English Bible
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The ransom of a man’s life [are] his riches, "" And the poor has not heard rebuke.

Young's Literal Translation
The ransom of a man's life are his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.

Smith's Literal Translation
The expiating of a man's soul is his riches: and the poor will not hear rebuke.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but he that is poor beareth not reprehension.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The redemption of a man’s life is his riches. But he who is poor cannot tolerate correction.

New American Bible
People’s riches serve as ransom for their lives, but the poor do not even hear a threat.

New Revised Standard Version
Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life, but the poor get no threats.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the poor ignores a rebuke.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The salvation of a man's soul is his wealth and the poor does not accept condemnation.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The ransom of a man's life are his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
7One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 8Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. 9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.…

Cross References
Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Proverbs 11:4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

Proverbs 10:15
The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

James 5:1-3
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

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. ...

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Matthew 19:21-24
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. / Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Proverbs 18:11
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Revelation 3:17-18
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. / I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.


Treasury of Scripture

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke.

ransom

Proverbs 6:35
He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Exodus 21:30
If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

the poor

2 Kings 24:14
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

2 Kings 25:12
But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.

Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

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Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














The ransom
The Hebrew word for "ransom" is "kofer," which often refers to a price paid for redemption or deliverance. In the context of Proverbs, it suggests the idea of a payment or sacrifice made to secure freedom or protection. Historically, a ransom was a common practice in ancient times, often used to free captives or settle disputes. This concept can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual deliverance that comes through wisdom and righteousness, which can protect one from the consequences of folly.

for a man's life
This phrase emphasizes the value and importance of life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, life was considered a precious gift from God, and preserving it was of utmost importance. The idea here is that a wise person, through their resources or wisdom, can secure their life from danger or harm. It reflects the biblical principle that wisdom and prudence can lead to preservation and safety.

is his wealth
Wealth, in this context, is not merely material riches but encompasses all resources and assets that a person possesses. In the biblical worldview, wealth is seen as a tool that can be used for good or ill. Here, it is portrayed as a means of protection, suggesting that a wise person uses their resources to safeguard their life and well-being. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that wealth should be used responsibly and for righteous purposes.

but a poor man
The term "poor" here is translated from the Hebrew word "rash," which refers to someone lacking in resources or means. In the biblical context, poverty is often associated with vulnerability and exposure to danger. The contrast between the wealthy and the poor in this verse highlights the different challenges and risks faced by individuals based on their material circumstances.

hears no rebuke
The phrase "hears no rebuke" suggests a lack of correction or discipline. In the context of Proverbs, rebuke is often associated with wisdom and instruction. The implication here is that a poor man, due to his lack of resources, may not receive the same level of guidance or correction as a wealthy person. This can be seen as a call to the community to ensure that wisdom and instruction are accessible to all, regardless of their economic status. It also serves as a reminder that true wealth is found in wisdom and understanding, which are available to everyone who seeks them.

(8) The ransom of a man's life are his riches.--In times of trouble he may have to give them all to save his life. For the spiritual sense comp. Luke 16:9.

But the poor heareth not rebuke.--Or, threatening. (Comp. Job 3:18; Job 39:7.) He has no need to regard it; his poverty and insignificance are his protection.

Verse 8. - The ransom of a man's life are his riches. A rich man can save himself from many difficulties and dangers by the sacrifice of a portion of his wealth, e.g. when his money or his life is demanded by a robber; when men in authority make extortionate demands on pain of death; or when he has incurred extreme penalty by infringement of law (Exodus 21:22, 30). Spiritually discerned, the passage recalls Christ's injunction, "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles" (Luke 16:9). The poor heareth not rebuke; has not to listen to (Job 3:18) threats from the covetous or abuse from the envious. He has nothing to lose, and no one can gain anything by interfering with him. So the poor man is at peace. "A hundred men cannot rob one pauper."

"Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Riches
עָשְׁר֑וֹ (‘ā·šə·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth

may ransom
כֹּ֣פֶר (kō·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3724: A cover, a village, bitumen, the henna plant, a redemption-price

a man’s
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

life,
נֶֽפֶשׁ־ (ne·p̄eš-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

but a poor
וְ֝רָ֗שׁ (wə·rāš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor

man hears
שָׁמַ֥ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

threat.
גְּעָרָֽה׃ (gə·‘ā·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1606: A chiding


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of a man's life (Prov. Pro Pr)
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