He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth - grievously. Whatever his neighbour may be, sick, ignoble, ignorant, he must not be despised; nay, 'mercy' is to be shown to him.
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy (is) he. The poor are a prey to injury, because they dare not resist. "Mercy" is the opposite of 'despising' the afflicted poor.