Proverbs 22:16

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16 in Other Translations

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich - whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines

16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich-both lead only 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 adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.