Proverbs 22:16
Cheat the poor to make profit or give gifts to the rich–either way you lose. [Contemporary English Version]
He who gains by oppressing the poor or by bribing the rich shall end in poverty. [Living Bible]
Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you’ll end up the poorer for it. [The Message]
If you take advantage of the poor or coddle the rich to get ahead, you will end up destitute. [The Voice]
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oppress: ashaq 6231 (Hebrew) rob, extort, defraud, violate; the forceful taking of what belongs to another, whether wages, property, legal rights, or personal dignity through exploitation by power rather than by stealth. Scripture places the burden on those with economic and judicial power to protect, not exploit, the day-laborer, the resident alien, and the widow or orphan. National exile was provoked by oppression at both the individual and societal level, making it a self-defeating method for becoming rich.
wealthy: 6223 ashir (Hebrew) rich; a person of substantial material resources.Unchecked affluence fosters oppression, but covenant faithfulness transcends financial status. The social power of wealth can breed pride, but cannot hide its illusory permanence. Leaders are warned against policies that oppress the poor.
poverty: machsor 4270 (Hebrew) lack, destitute, penury; it designates material want, need, or poverty. Industrious stewardship aligns with God’s design, but irresponsible laziness, of which greed is a type, courts poverty. God delights to satisfy legitimate need yet uses lack to discipline complacency and expose injustice.
