Proverbs 21:13

sn 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.

sn “Cry” here would be a metonymy of effect for the cause, the cause being the great needs of the poor.

sn 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).