Proverbs 18:23
Good News Translation
When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.

New Revised Standard Version
The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

Contemporary English Version
The poor must beg for help, but the rich can give a harsh reply.

New American Bible
The poor implore, but the rich answer harshly.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

poor

Ruth 2:7 And she desired leave to glean the ears of corn that remain, following the steps of the reapers: and she hath been in the field from morning till now, and hath not gone home for one moment.

1 Samuel 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall remain in thy house shall come that he may be prayed for, and shall offer a piece of silver, and a roll of bread, and shall say: Put me, I beseech thee, to somewhat of the priestly office, that I may eat a morsel of bread.

2 Kings 4:1,2 Now a certain woman of the wives of the prophets, cried to Eliseus, saying: Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant was one that feared God, and behold the creditor is come to take away my two sons to serve him. . . .

Isaiah 66:2 My hand made all these things, and all these things were made, saith the Lord. But to whom shall I have respect, but to him that is poor and little, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my words?

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 1:9-11 But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation: . . .

rich

Genesis 42:7,30 And he knew them, he spoke as it were to strangers, somewhat roughly, asking them: Whence came you? They answered: From the land of Chanaan, to buy necessaries of life. . . .

Exodus 5:2 But he answered: Who is the Lord, that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

1 Samuel 25:10,17 But Nabal answering the servants of David, said: Who is David? and what is the son of Isai? servants are multiplied now days who flee from their masters. . . .

James 2:3 And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or: Sit under my footstool:

Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
22He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked. 23The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.24A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.…
Cross References
James 2:3
And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or: Sit under my footstool:

James 2:6
But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you by might? And do not they draw you before the judgment seats?

1 Kings 12:13
And the king answered the people roughly, leaving the counsel of the old men, which they had given him,

2 Chronicles 10:13
And the king answered roughly, leaving the counsel of the ancients.

Proverbs 19:7
The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.

Proverbs 18:22
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