Proverbs 13:23
New International Version
An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.

New Living Translation
A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.

English Standard Version
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.

Berean Standard Bible
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

King James Bible
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

New King James Version
Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.

New American Standard Bible
Abundant food is in the uncultivated ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.

NASB 1995
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.

NASB 1977
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.

Legacy Standard Bible
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.

Amplified Bible
Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor, But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.

Christian Standard Bible
The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away.

American Standard Version
Much food is in the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

Contemporary English Version
Even when the land of the poor produces good crops, they get cheated out of what they grow.

English Revised Version
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When poor people are able to plow, there is much food, but a person is swept away where there is no justice.

Good News Translation
Unused fields could yield plenty of food for the poor, but unjust people keep them from being farmed.

International Standard Version
The field of the poor may produce much food, but it can be swept away through injustice.

Majority Standard Bible
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

NET Bible
There is abundant food in the field of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice.

New Heart English Bible
An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, but injustice sweeps it away.

Webster's Bible Translation
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

World English Bible
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Abundance of food—the tillage of the poor, "" And substance is consumed without judgment.

Young's Literal Translation
Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.

Smith's Literal Translation
Much food to the fallow ground of the poor: and in no judgment there is destroying.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered with out judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.

New American Bible
The tillage of the poor yields abundant food, but possessions are swept away for lack of justice.

New Revised Standard Version
The field of the poor may yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Those who do not understand the manner of life are destroyed by riches; yea, many men are destroyed completely.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Those who do not see the way of life for themselves destroy many years of wealth, and some are destroyed utterly.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Much food is in the tillage of the poor; But there is that is swept away by want of righteousness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. 23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. 24He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.…

Cross References
Isaiah 5:8
Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Amos 8:4-6
Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”

Micah 2:2
They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

Jeremiah 22:13
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,

Matthew 23:25
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Ezekiel 22:29
The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.

Habakkuk 2:6-9
Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’ / Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey. / Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers. ...

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Proverbs 22:16
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Job 24:2-4
Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks. / They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge. / They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.

Luke 16:19-25
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

food

Proverbs 12:11,14
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding…

Proverbs 27:18,23-27
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured…

Proverbs 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

destroyed

Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: …

Proverbs 11:5,6
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness…

Psalm 112:5
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

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Abundance Abundant Consumed Destroyed Fallow Field Fields Food Ground Injustice Judgment People's Ploughed Poor Produce Reason Righteousness Substance Sweeps Swept Tillage Want Yields
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Abundance Abundant Consumed Destroyed Fallow Field Fields Food Ground Injustice Judgment People's Ploughed Poor Produce Reason Righteousness Substance Sweeps Swept Tillage Want Yields
Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor
This phrase highlights the potential and resources available even in seemingly unproductive or neglected areas. In ancient agrarian societies, fallow ground referred to land that was left unplanted to restore its fertility. The poor, often lacking resources to cultivate their land, still possess the potential for abundance. This reflects the biblical principle that God provides for all, and even the least likely places can yield great blessings. The concept of fallow ground is also a metaphor for spiritual readiness, as seen in Hosea 10:12, where breaking up fallow ground symbolizes preparing one's heart for righteousness.

but without justice it is swept away
This part of the verse underscores the importance of justice in maintaining and realizing potential. In biblical times, justice was a central theme, often associated with righteousness and fairness. The absence of justice can lead to the loss of resources and opportunities, as corruption and exploitation prevent the poor from benefiting from their potential. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes God's concern for justice, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:17, which calls for defending the oppressed. The sweeping away of resources without justice serves as a warning against societal structures that perpetuate inequality and highlights the need for godly governance and stewardship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Poor
This refers to individuals who lack material wealth or resources. In the context of this proverb, they possess potential resources (fallow ground) that are not fully realized due to external injustices.

2. Fallow Ground
This is land that is left unplowed and unseeded for a period to restore its fertility. It symbolizes untapped potential or resources that could yield abundance if properly utilized.

3. Justice
In this context, justice refers to fairness and righteousness in societal structures and personal interactions. The lack of justice results in the poor being unable to benefit from their potential resources.
Teaching Points
Recognizing Potential
The proverb teaches us to see the potential in what may seem unproductive or overlooked, such as the fallow ground of the poor. We should seek to cultivate and develop these resources.

The Role of Justice
Justice is crucial in ensuring that everyone can benefit from their potential resources. As Christians, we are called to advocate for justice and fairness in our communities.

Stewardship and Responsibility
We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, ensuring they are used to benefit all, especially the marginalized.

Compassion for the Poor
This verse challenges us to have compassion for the poor and to work towards systems that allow them to thrive rather than be swept away by injustice.

Community and Support
The church community should be a place where the needs of the poor are met, and their potential is nurtured through support and empowerment.(23) Tillage.--Properly, the newly-made field, on which much labour has been expended. The poor hardworking man, by God's blessing, gains an abundant living, while many (rich persons) are ruined for their neglect of what is right.

Verse 23. - Much food is in the tillage (tilled ground) of the poor (Proverbs 12:11). The word rendered "tillage" (nir) means ground worked for the first time, and therefore that on which much labour is bestowed. Hence the Vulgate rightly renders, novalibus. It occurs in Jeremiah 4:3 and Hosea 10:12, where our version has "fallow ground." The poor, but righteous man, who industriously cultivates his little plot of ground, secures a good return, and is happy in eating the labour of his hands (Psalm 128:2). Intend of "the poor," the Vulgate has, "the fathers," taking ראשים in this sense; so that the meaning would be that children who properly cultivate their paternal or hereditary fields obtain good crops. But the Authorized Version rendering is doubtless preferable. There is that is destroyed for want of judgment; rather, as the Revised Version, by reason of injustice. Rich men are often brought to ruin by their disregard of right and justice (mishpat). Some (poor men) are amply supplied by honest labour; others (rich) lose all by wrong dealing. Vulgate, "For others it (food) is gathered contrary to justice;" Septuagint, quite astray, The righteous shall pass many years in wealth; but the unrighteous shall suddenly perish" - which seems to be an explanation or amplification of ver. 22.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Abundant
רָב־ (rāḇ-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

food
אֹ֭כֶל (’ō·ḵel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 400: Food

[is in] the fallow ground
נִ֣יר (nîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5215: Plowing, freshly plowed land

of the poor,
רָאשִׁ֑ים (rā·šîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor

but without
בְּלֹ֣א (bə·lō)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

justice
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

it is
וְיֵ֥שׁ (wə·yêš)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

swept away.
נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה (nis·peh)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5595: To sweep or snatch away, catch up


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:23 An abundance of food is in poor (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 13:22
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