Proverbs 28:8

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 Get as rich as you want through cheating and extortion, But eventually some friend of the poor is going to give it all back to them.
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 Whoever becomes wealthy through [unfair] loans and interest collects them for the one who is kind to the poor.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 A person who increases his wealth by charging high interest piles it up for someone who will be kind to poor people.

Proverbs 28:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance
By biting and oppressing the poor; letting him have money at an exorbitant interest, and goods at an exorbitant price, and so increases his substance in this scandalous manner; hence usury is in ( Leviticus 25:36 ) , called "increase", and by the Greeks (tokov) , a "birth", because money is the birth of money, as Aristotle F5 observes; and so by the Latins "foenus", as if it was "foetus" F6, "a birth". The word for usury here signifies biting; and so usury, with classical writers F7, is said to bite; and while it increases the substance of the usurer, it lessens and devours that of others; he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor;
not for himself, nor for his posterity; but for such, though not intentionally but eventually, as will make a good use of it, and distribute it to the necessities of the poor. The meaning is, that things should be so overruled by the providence of God, that what such an avaricious man gets in his dishonest way should not be enjoyed by him or his; but should be taken out of his hands, and put into the hands of another, that will do good with it, by showing mercy to the poor; see ( Job 27:16 Job 27:17 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F5 Politic. l. 1. c. 10.
F6 A. Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 16. c. 12.
F7 Plauti Pseudolos, Act. 4. Sc. 7. v. 23, 24. "Habet argentum jam admordere hune mihi lubet", Lucan. l. 1. v. 131. "Vorax usura."

Proverbs 28:8 In-Context

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Exodus 18:21; Ezekiel 18:8
  • 2. S Job 27:17; Proverbs 13:22
  • 3. S Job 3:15; Psalms 112:9; Proverbs 14:31; Luke 14:12-14
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