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31 He who oppresses the poor insults their Creator,
    but the one who is kind to the needy[a] does him honor.
32 The evildoer is undone by his malice,
    but the upright finds refuge in his integrity.
33 Wisdom finds a home in an understanding heart,[b]
    but she is not found in the heart of fools.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:31 Since God created both the rich and the poor in his image (see Prov 22:2; Job 31:15; Jas 3:9), whoever oppresses the poor insults their Creator. Kind to the needy: see note on verse 21. Does him honor: i.e., carries out his will and also “lends to the Lord” (Prov 19:17; see Mt 25:40).
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Heart: for the Semites the heart was the seat of knowledge and understanding (see note on Ps 4:8).

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(A)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(B)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(C)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(D)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(E)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known