Proverbs 17:5
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He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
See here, 1. What a great sin those are guilty of who trample upon the poor, who ridicule their wants and the meanness of their appearance, upbraid them with their poverty, and take advantage from their weakness to be abusive and injurious to them. They reproach their Maker, put a great contempt and affront upon him, who allotted the poor to the condition they are in, owns them, and takes care of them, and can, when he pleases, reduce us to that condition. Let those that thus reproach their Maker know that they shall be called to an account for it, Mat 25:40, Mat 25:41; Pro 14:31. 2. What great danger those are in of falling into trouble themselves who are pleased to see and hear of the troubles of others: He that is glad at calamities, that he may be built up upon the ruins of others, and regales himself with the judgments of God when they are abroad, let him know that he shall not go unpunished; the cup shall be put into his hand, Eze 25:6, Eze 25:7.
Open source ↗17:5 To make fun of what God created is to mock God.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—
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?
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
But I have not run away from being Your shepherd; I have not desired the day of despair. You know that the utterance of my lips was spoken in Your presence.
For as you drank on My holy mountain, so all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and gulp it down; they will be as if they had never existed.