Proverbs 21:13
13 The one who shuts his ears ▼▼ The imagery means “pay no attention to” the cry for help or “refuse to help,” so it is a metonymy of cause for the effect.
to the cry ▼▼ “Cry” here would be a metonymy of effect for the cause, the cause being the great needs of the poor.
of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. ▼
▼ The proverb is teaching that those who show mercy will receive mercy. It involves the principle of talionic justice – those who refuse the needs of others will themselves be refused when they need help (so Luke 16:19–31).
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