Lectionary Calendar
Monday, June 2nd, 2025
the Seventh Week after Easter
the Seventh Week after Easter
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Proverbs 22:16
Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within; you'll give it bold expression in your speech. To make sure your foundation is trust in God , I'm laying it all out right now just for you. I'm giving you thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by. Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.
1
Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor, and don't use your position to crush the weak, Because God will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.2
Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don't get infected.3
Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance. The time will come when you have to pay up; you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.4
Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.5
Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a backseat to anyone.Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BakerParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty.
Hebrew Names Version
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
King James Version
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
English Standard Version
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
New American Standard Bible
One who oppresses the poor to make more for himself, Or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
One who oppresses the poor to make more for himself, Or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
New Century Version
Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor, and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor, and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Amplified Bible
He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
World English Bible
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase him selfe, and giueth vnto the riche, shall surely come to pouertie.
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase him selfe, and giueth vnto the riche, shall surely come to pouertie.
Legacy Standard Bible
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himselfOr who gives to the rich will only come to lack.
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himselfOr who gives to the rich will only come to lack.
Berean Standard Bible
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, or giving gifts to the rich, will surely lead to poverty.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, or giving gifts to the rich, will surely lead to poverty.
Contemporary English Version
Cheat the poor to make profit or give gifts to the rich— either way you lose.
Cheat the poor to make profit or give gifts to the rich— either way you lose.
Complete Jewish Bible
Both oppressing the poor to enrich oneself and giving to the rich yield only loss.
Both oppressing the poor to enrich oneself and giving to the rich yield only loss.
Darby Translation
He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] only to want.
He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] only to want.
Easy-to-Read Version
These two things will make you poor: hurting the poor to make yourself rich and giving gifts to the rich.
These two things will make you poor: hurting the poor to make yourself rich and giving gifts to the rich.
George Lamsa Translation
He who oppresses the poor adds to his evil; and he who gives to the rich, shall suffer a loss.
He who oppresses the poor adds to his evil; and he who gives to the rich, shall suffer a loss.
Good News Translation
If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
Lexham English Bible
He who oppresses the poor in order to enrich himself, or gives to the rich, will come to poverty.
He who oppresses the poor in order to enrich himself, or gives to the rich, will come to poverty.
Literal Translation
One oppresses the poor to multiply for himself, another gives to the rich, only to come to poverty.
One oppresses the poor to multiply for himself, another gives to the rich, only to come to poverty.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Who so doth a poore man wronge to increase his owne riches, geueth (comoly) vnto the rich, and at the last commeth to pouerte himself.
Who so doth a poore man wronge to increase his owne riches, geueth (comoly) vnto the rich, and at the last commeth to pouerte himself.
American Standard Version
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, And he that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, And he that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.
Bible in Basic English
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.
One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.
King James Version (1611)
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase his riches, and he that giueth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase his riches, and he that giueth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Who so doth a poore man wrong, to increase his owne [riches] and geueth vnto the ryche, at the last commeth to pouertie hym selfe.
Who so doth a poore man wrong, to increase his owne [riches] and geueth vnto the ryche, at the last commeth to pouertie hym selfe.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
English Revised Version
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, and he that giveth to the rich, cometh only to want.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, and he that giveth to the rich, cometh only to want.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He that falsli chalengith a pore man, to encreesse hise owne richessis, schal yyue to a richere man, and schal be nedi.
He that falsli chalengith a pore man, to encreesse hise owne richessis, schal yyue to a richere man, and schal be nedi.
Update Bible Version
He that oppresses the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that gives to the rich, [shall come] only to want.
He that oppresses the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that gives to the rich, [shall come] only to want.
Webster's Bible Translation
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches], [and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches], [and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
New English Translation
The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich—both end up only in poverty.
The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich—both end up only in poverty.
New King James Version
He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
New Living Translation
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
New Life Bible
He who makes it hard for the poor by getting more for himself, or who gives to the rich, will become poor himself.
He who makes it hard for the poor by getting more for himself, or who gives to the rich, will become poor himself.
New Revised Standard
Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.
Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
He that oppresseth the poor, to make increase for himself, giving to the rich, shall surely come to want.
He that oppresseth the poor, to make increase for himself, giving to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
Revised Standard Version
He who oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to want.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to want.
Young's Literal Translation
He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich -- only to want.
He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich -- only to want.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Contextual Overview
16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within; you'll give it bold expression in your speech. To make sure your foundation is trust in God , I'm laying it all out right now just for you. I'm giving you thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by. Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.
1
Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor, and don't use your position to crush the weak, Because God will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.2
Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don't get infected.3
Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance. The time will come when you have to pay up; you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.4
Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.5
Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a backseat to anyone.Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
that oppresseth: Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:23, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 28:3, Job 20:19-29, Psalms 12:5, Micah 2:2, Micah 2:3, Zechariah 7:9-14, James 2:13, James 5:1-5
he that giveth: Luke 6:33-35, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 16:24
Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:14 - General Deuteronomy 24:14 - General Job 24:4 - turn Psalms 10:9 - when Proverbs 17:18 - void Proverbs 22:7 - rich Proverbs 30:14 - to devour Habakkuk 2:6 - that increaseth 1 Timothy 6:9 - they James 2:6 - Do
Cross-References
Genesis 12:2
I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you."
I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 22:13
Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Genesis 22:14
Abraham named that place God -Yireh ( God -Sees-to-It). That's where we get the saying, "On the mountain of God , he sees to it."
Abraham named that place God -Yireh ( God -Sees-to-It). That's where we get the saying, "On the mountain of God , he sees to it."
Jeremiah 51:14
God -of-the-Angel-Armies has solemnly sworn: "I'll fill this place with soldiers. They'll swarm through here like locusts chanting victory songs over you."
God -of-the-Angel-Armies has solemnly sworn: "I'll fill this place with soldiers. They'll swarm through here like locusts chanting victory songs over you."
Amos 6:8
God , the Master, has sworn, and solemnly stands by his Word. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: "I hate the arrogance of Jacob. I have nothing but contempt for his forts. I'm about to hand over the city and everyone in it."
God , the Master, has sworn, and solemnly stands by his Word. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: "I hate the arrogance of Jacob. I have nothing but contempt for his forts. I'm about to hand over the city and everyone in it."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Better, He who oppresses the poor for his own profit gives. (i. e., will, in the common course of things, be compelled to give) to a rich man, and that only to his own loss. Ill-gotten gains do not prosper, and only expose the oppressor to extortion and violence in his turn.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Proverbs 22:16. He that oppresseth the poor — He who, in order to obtain the favour of the rich and great, either robs or cheats the poor, to make those men presents; or gives in presents to them, for the sake of honour and reputation, what he should have given to the poor, shall surely come to want.
