Proverbs 14:21 bbe — He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.

Bible in Basic English

"He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy."

— Proverbs 14:21, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 14:21 in Other Translations

3 versions All translations

Proverbs 14 — Context

18

Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge.

19

The knees of the evil are bent before the good; and sinners go down in the dust at the doors of the upright.

20

The poor man is hated even by his neighbour, but the man of wealth has numbers of friends.

21

He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.

22

Will not the designers of evil come into error? But mercy and good faith are for the designers of good.

23

In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor.

24

Their wisdom is a crown to the wise, but their foolish behaviour is round the head of the unwise.

Proverbs 14:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 14:21 say?
Proverbs 14:21 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.”
Where is Proverbs 14:21 in the Bible?
Proverbs 14:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 14, verse 21.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 14:21.
What translation should I read Proverbs 14:21 in?
Proverbs 14:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 14:21?
Proverbs 14:21 reads (BBE): “He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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