KJV ORIGINAL
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Anyone who ignores the cries of poor people when they need help will also cry out for help someday, but no one will listen to them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse teaches that if we ignore people in need, we shouldn't expect help when we're in trouble ourselves.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written during a time when Israel had clear laws about caring for the poor, widows, and foreigners. Ancient Middle Eastern societies relied heavily on community support systems, and ignoring the needy was seen as a serious moral failure. The principle reflects the biblical understanding that God has special concern for the vulnerable and expects His people to share that concern.
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