Proverbs 28:27
New International Version
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

New Living Translation
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

English Standard Version
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

King James Bible
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

New King James Version
He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

New American Standard Bible
One who gives to the poor will never lack anything, But one who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

NASB 1995
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

NASB 1977
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Amplified Bible
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

American Standard Version
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Contemporary English Version
Giving to the poor will keep you from poverty, but if you close your eyes to their needs, everyone will curse you.

English Revised Version
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses.

Good News Translation
Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.

International Standard Version
Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed.

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

NET Bible
The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.

New Heart English Bible
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

World English Bible
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, "" And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

Smith's Literal Translation
He giving to the poor wants not: and he hiding his eyes increased curses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that giveth to the poor, shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.

New American Bible
Those who give to the poor have no lack, but those who avert their eyes, many curses.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who gives to the poor shall not lack; but he who turns his eyes away from the needy shall have many a curse.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that gives to the poor will not lack it, and he that turns his eyes from the poor will increase his curse.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye from him shall be in great distress.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boldness of the Righteous
26He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. 27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. 28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.…

Cross References
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

James 2:15-17
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? / So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.

1 John 3:17-18
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? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

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.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

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. ...

Isaiah 58:6-10
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? / Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. ...

Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, / so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Psalm 41:1-3
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. / The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to give him over to the will of his foes. / The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.

Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.


Treasury of Scripture

He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.

that giveth

Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Proverbs 22:9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Deuteronomy 15:7,10
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: …

hideth

Isaiah 1:15
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

shall

Proverbs 11:26
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Proverbs 24:24
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

Jump to Previous
Attention Closes Curse Curses Eyes Gives Great Hides Hideth Hiding Lack Need Poor Receives Shuts Want Withdraweth
Jump to Next
Attention Closes Curse Curses Eyes Gives Great Hides Hideth Hiding Lack Need Poor Receives Shuts Want Withdraweth
Proverbs 28
1. general observations of impiety and integrity














He who gives to the poor
This phrase emphasizes the virtue of generosity, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. The Hebrew word for "gives" is "נָתַן" (natan), which implies a voluntary and intentional act of providing for those in need. In the ancient Near Eastern context, giving to the poor was not only a social duty but also a spiritual one, reflecting God's own compassion and provision. The "poor" (Hebrew: "עָנִי" - ani) refers to those who are economically disadvantaged, often marginalized in society. The act of giving is seen as a direct reflection of one's faith and trust in God's provision, aligning with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where He emphasizes caring for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40).

will lack nothing
This promise of provision is rooted in the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. The Hebrew word for "lack" is "חָסֵר" (chaser), which means to be in want or need. The assurance here is that those who are generous will not find themselves in need, as God will ensure their needs are met. This reflects the broader biblical narrative that God blesses those who bless others, as seen in passages like 2 Corinthians 9:6, where Paul writes about the blessings of cheerful giving. Historically, this principle encouraged a culture of mutual support within the community of faith, ensuring that no one was left destitute.

but he who hides his eyes
This phrase describes a deliberate act of ignoring or avoiding the needs of others. The Hebrew verb "מַעֲלִים" (ma'alim) means to conceal or hide, suggesting an intentional turning away from the plight of the poor. In the biblical context, such behavior is seen as a failure to fulfill one's moral and spiritual obligations. The act of "hiding one's eyes" is not just a physical action but a metaphor for a hardened heart, lacking compassion and empathy. This is contrary to the character of God, who is described as one who sees and cares for the oppressed (Psalm 146:7-9).

will receive many curses
The consequence of ignoring the poor is severe, as indicated by the word "curses" (Hebrew: "מְאֵרוֹת" - me'erot). In the biblical worldview, curses are not merely negative words but divine judgments or consequences for disobedience. The plural form "many" underscores the seriousness of the offense and the multitude of repercussions that follow. This reflects the covenantal understanding in the Old Testament, where blessings and curses were tied to obedience and disobedience to God's commands (Deuteronomy 28). The warning serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual and communal responsibility to care for the needy, aligning with the prophetic calls for justice and mercy throughout Scripture (e.g., Isaiah 58:6-7).

(27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack.--See above on Proverbs 11:24.

Shall have many a curse.--With this comp. Ecclesiasticus 4:5-6.

Verse 27. - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack (see Proverbs 11:24, etc.; Proverbs 19:17). God in some way compensates what is spent in almsdeeds by shedding his blessing on the benevolent. "Der Geiz," runs the German maxim, "sammlet sich arm, die Milde giebt sich reich," "Charity gives itself rich; covetousness hoards itself poor" (Trench). "Alms," said the rabbis, "are the salt of riches." But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse (Proverbs 11:26). The uncharitable man either turns away his eyes that he may not see the misery around him, or pretends not to notice it, lest his compassion should be claimed. The expression, "hiding the eyes," occurs in Isaiah 1:15, "When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you." The unmerciful man meets with the curses of those whom he has neglected to relieve when he had the power, and such curses are ratified and fulfilled because they are deserved, and Divine retribution attends them (see the opposite view, Ver. 20). "Turn not away thine eye from the needy," says the Son of Sirach, "and give him none occasion to curse thee; for if be curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him" (Ecclus 4:4, etc.; comp. Tobit 4:7). So in the 'Didache,' ch. 4, we have, Οὐκ ἀποστραφήσῃ τὸν ἐνδεόμενον, "Thou shalt not turn thyself from one in need." Septuagint, "lie that turneth away his eye shall be in great distress;" Vulgate, Qui despicit deprecantem sustinebit penuriam.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whoever gives
נוֹתֵ֣ן (nō·w·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to the poor
לָ֭רָשׁ (lā·rāš)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor

will not
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

be in need,
מַחְס֑וֹר (maḥ·sō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4270: A need, thing needed, poverty

but he who hides
וּמַעְלִ֥ים (ū·ma‘·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal

his eyes
עֵ֝ינָ֗יו (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

will receive many
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

curses.
מְאֵרֽוֹת׃ (mə·’ê·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3994: An execration


Links
Proverbs 28:27 NIV
Proverbs 28:27 NLT
Proverbs 28:27 ESV
Proverbs 28:27 NASB
Proverbs 28:27 KJV

Proverbs 28:27 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 28:27 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 28:27 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 28:27 French Bible
Proverbs 28:27 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:27 One who gives to the poor has (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 28:26
Top of Page
Top of Page