Proverbs 21:13
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.

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

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.

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 Version
Whoever 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 Bible
He 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 Bible
He 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 1917
Whoso 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 Stops
Jump to Next
Closes Cry Ear Ears Heard Help Poor Shuts Shutting Stopped Stoppeth Stops
Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














Whoever shuts his ears
This phrase emphasizes the deliberate action of ignoring or refusing to listen. The Hebrew root word for "shuts" is "ʿāṣar," which conveys the idea of closing off or restraining. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the ear was often seen as a symbol of obedience and attentiveness. To "shut one's ears" is to consciously choose to ignore the needs and cries of others, particularly those who are vulnerable. This action is not passive but an active decision to turn away from compassion and responsibility.

to the cry of the poor
The "cry" here is a plea for help, a desperate call for assistance. The Hebrew word "zeʿāqâ" is often used in the context of distress and urgent need. The "poor" (Hebrew: "ʿānî") refers to those who are afflicted, oppressed, or in a state of poverty. In biblical times, the poor were often marginalized and lacked the means to support themselves. The scripture consistently calls for the protection and care of the poor, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. Ignoring their cry is seen as a grave moral failing.

he too shall cry out
This phrase serves as a warning of reciprocity. The Hebrew word "zeʿāq" is used again, indicating that the one who ignores the poor will find themselves in a similar position of need. The principle of sowing and reaping is evident here, a common theme in biblical wisdom literature. It underscores the idea that one's actions have consequences, and neglecting the needs of others can lead to personal misfortune.

and receive no answer
The consequence of ignoring the poor is that when the person who has shut their ears finds themselves in need, they will not receive help. The Hebrew word "ʿānâ" means to respond or answer. This lack of response is not just from other people but can also be interpreted as a divine silence. In the biblical worldview, God is seen as the ultimate judge who ensures justice. The absence of an answer is a form of divine retribution, highlighting the importance of compassion and empathy in the life of a believer.

(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 shuts
אֹטֵ֣ם (’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 NIV
Proverbs 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. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 21:12
Top of Page
Top of Page