Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 21:13
What does Proverbs 21:13 mean?
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Proverbs 21:13
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This verse isn't just about being generally unkind; it's about a specific kind of deafness. When we ignore the desperate pleas of those in need, we're not just missing an opportunity to help, we're actively shutting ourselves off from divine mercy when we'll desperately need it. It's a stark reminder that the way we treat the vulnerable directly impacts how we'll be treated by God.
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb sits within a section of Proverbs focused on practical wisdom and righteous living, contrasting the ways of the wicked with those who fear the Lord. It follows verses that speak about unjust gain and following wisdom, setting up a principle of divine justice. This specific verse warns of a direct consequence: ignoring the suffering of the needy will lead to one's own pleas being ignored when they eventually fall into hardship.
Ever feel like your cries for help go unheard? This proverb reveals a divine principle about how we treat the vulnerable.
This verse presents a powerful principle of reciprocity, often called the "law of retribution" or "like for like."
A Deaf Ear to the Needy
When someone in genuine distress – the poor, the oppressed, those in need – cries out, and a person with the means to help deliberately ignores them, they are "stopping their ears." This isn't just a passive lack of attention; it's an active refusal to engage with suffering.
The Lord's Response
God takes notice of this deliberate neglect. The proverb states that the one who refuses mercy will eventually find themselves in a similar desperate situation, crying out for help. But crucially, their own pleas will go unanswered. It's as if the very deafness they showed to the poor becomes the deafness they experience from others, and ultimately, from God.
What does God promise to those who extend compassion, even when it's difficult?
This proverb isn't just a warning; it's also an encouragement to cultivate a merciful heart.
The Character of God
The God of the Bible is deeply concerned with justice and compassion, especially for the vulnerable. He hears the cries of the oppressed and the poor.
Our Faith Reflected in Action
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When we choose to listen to and act upon the needs of those less fortunate, we are aligning ourselves with God's own heart. This act of mercy isn't just a good deed; it's a reflection of our faith and a participation in God's kingdom values.
The Certainty of His Attention
Conversely, when we ignore the suffering of others, we risk creating a barrier to receiving God's own attentive mercy when we are in need. The proverb assures us that our acts of compassion, or lack thereof, have consequences, and God's ear is always open to the pleas of the merciful.
Understand the original words
dal · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who are destitute, marginalized, or suffering, and thus unable to provide for themselves. Scripture repeatedly calls for special care and compassion toward them as a reflection of God’s own heart.
This passage vividly illustrates the principle of unforgiving debt, showing how God will deal with us according to the mercy we extend to others, just as Proverbs warns that our own cries will go unanswered if we ignore the needy.
James directly echoes this Proverb's sentiment, stating that 'judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy,' emphasizing that our lack of compassion for others will result in divine judgment falling upon us.
Luke 16:19-31The story of the rich man and Lazarus presents a stark picture of the eternal consequences of ignoring the poor, showing a man who lived in luxury yet refused to help Lazarus, only to cry out in torment and find no relief.
Proverbs 19:17This verse further reinforces the theme by stating that 'whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,' suggesting that acts of mercy are not only rewarded by God but that withholding them incurs His displeasure, aligning with the warning in Proverbs 21:13.
jfbProverbs 21:13: "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
- The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Ps 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).
ellicottProverbs 21:13: "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
(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 .)
This verse isn't just about being generally unkind; it's about a specific kind of deafness. When we ignore the desperate pleas of those in need, we're not just missing an opportunity to help, we're actively shutting ourselves off from divine mercy when we'll desperately need it. It's a stark reminder that the way we treat the vulnerable directly impacts how we'll be treated by God.
This proverb sits within a section of Proverbs focused on practical wisdom and righteous living, contrasting the ways of the wicked with those who fear the Lord. It follows verses that speak about unjust gain and following wisdom, setting up a principle of divine justice. This specific verse warns of a direct consequence: ignoring the suffering of the needy will lead to one's own pleas being ignored when they eventually fall into hardship.
This proverb sits within a section of Proverbs focused on practical wisdom and righteous living, contrasting the ways of the wicked with those who fear the Lord. It follows verses that speak about unjust gain and following wisdom, setting up a principle of divine justice. This specific verse warns of a direct consequence: ignoring the suffering of the needy will lead to one's own pleas being ignored when they eventually fall into hardship.
"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." — This verse isn't just about being generally unkind; it's about a specific kind of deafness. When we ignore the desperate pleas of those in need, we're not just missing an opportunity to help, we're a…
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Last reviewed October 2026