Home › Topics › Poverty

Bible Verses About Poverty

12 Bible verses about poverty, quoted word for word from the King James Version (KJV) and the World English Bible (WEB). Both translations are in the public domain. Tap a chapter link to read each verse in its full context.

Show:

Leviticus 25:35

KJVAnd if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

WEB“‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident.

Read Leviticus 25 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 22:2

KJVThe rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

WEBThe rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

Read Proverbs 22 in context Memorize this verse

2 Corinthians 8:9

KJVFor ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

WEBFor you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

Read 2 Corinthians 8 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 20:13

KJVLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

WEBDon’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

Read Proverbs 20 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 28:6

KJVBetter is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

WEBBetter is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

Read Proverbs 28 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 31:8-9

KJVOpen thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

WEBOpen your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

Read Proverbs 31 in context Memorize this verse

Luke 6:20-21

KJVAnd he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

WEBHe lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for God’s Kingdom is yours. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Read Luke 6 in context Memorize this verse

Ecclesiastes 9:16

KJVThen said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

WEBThen I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Read Ecclesiastes 9 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 22:7

KJVThe rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

WEBThe rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

Read Proverbs 22 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 17:5

KJVWhoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

WEBWhoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Read Proverbs 17 in context Memorize this verse

1 John 3:17

KJVBut whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

WEBBut whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?

Read 1 John 3 in context Memorize this verse

Proverbs 29:7

KJVThe righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

WEBThe righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

Read Proverbs 29 in context Memorize this verse

Read, pray, and memorize together

The free Thy Word Is Life app has 29 reading plans (Bible stories for families, the Bible in a year in canonical or chronological order, the Old Testament, the Gospels, Paul’s letters and more), the whole Bible with KJV and WEB side by side, verse memory practice and a private prayer journal that stays on your device. It works in your phone's browser — add it to your home screen.

Open the app