(ו) רַבִּים יְחַלּוּ פְנֵי נָדִיב וְכָל הָרֵעַ לְאִישׁ מַתָּן:
(ז) כָּל אֲחֵי רָשׁ שְׂנֵאֻהוּ אַף כִּי מְרֵעֵהוּ רָחֲקוּ מִמֶּנּוּ מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לא לוֹ הֵמָּה:
Many court the favor of a great person, and all are the friends of a dispenser of gifts. All the kin of a poor person despise them; how much more is the poor person shunned by their friends! [JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is a “great” person? Why do all court such a person? Why are all friends of a dispenser of gifts?
2. According to this verse, whom is hated. Why?
3. What are our inherent reactions to wealth and poverty? Why? How can we combat them?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)