Proverbs 22:16

16 He ¹who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, ²will only come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:16

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches]
By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves; [and] he that giveth to the rich [shall] surely [come] to want:
that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the possession of his ill gotten riches; yet, after all, it shall not thrive and prosper with him, it will all issue in poverty and want: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "he shall give to one more rich, and shall want"; he shall be forced to give it to another richer than he, and of greater power, and so shall get nothing by his oppression of the poor; but as he has served the poor, so shall he be served himself, and be brought to beggary and want; see ( Proverbs 21:13 ) .

Proverbs 22:16 In-Context

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;

18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips.

Cross References

• 1. Ecclesiastes 5:8; James 2:13
• 2. Proverbs 28:22

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "much"