18:23

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

23a
The poor man pleads for mercy,

23b but the rich man answers harshly.

18:23a

The poor man pleads for mercy: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pleads for mercy means to humbly ask or beg for help or favors. It is implied from the parallel line that the poor person asks a rich person for help. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The poor man speaks beseechingly (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
The poor use entreaties (English Standard Version)
-or-
The poor must beg for help (Contemporary English Version)

18:23b

but the rich man answers harshly: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as answers harshly is literally “answers strong ⌊words⌋ .” His reply to the poor person is impolite or rough. It shows that he does not care about the poor person’s needs. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the rich man’s answer is harsh (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
but the rich answer roughly (English Standard Version)
-or-
but the rich give rude answers (New Century Version)

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