Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible
King James Version (1611 Edition)
Proverbs 22:16
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase his riches, and he that giueth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
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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.
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.
THE MESSAGE
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.
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.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 Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase his riches, and he that giueth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
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
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I wil blesse thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt bee a blessing.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I wil blesse thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt bee a blessing.
Genesis 22:13
And Abraham lifted vp his eyes, and looked, and beholde, behinde him a Ramme caught in a thicket by his hornes: And Abraham went and tooke the Ramme, and offered him vp for a burnt offering, in the stead of his sonne.
And Abraham lifted vp his eyes, and looked, and beholde, behinde him a Ramme caught in a thicket by his hornes: And Abraham went and tooke the Ramme, and offered him vp for a burnt offering, in the stead of his sonne.
Genesis 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place Iehouah-ijreh, as it is said to this day, In the Mount of the LORD it shalbe seene.
And Abraham called the name of that place Iehouah-ijreh, as it is said to this day, In the Mount of the LORD it shalbe seene.
Psalms 105:9
Which couenant he made with Abraham, and his oath vnto Isaac:
Which couenant he made with Abraham, and his oath vnto Isaac:
Isaiah 45:23
I haue sworne by my selfe: the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnes, and shall not returne, that vnto me euery knee shall bowe, euery tongue shall sweare.
I haue sworne by my selfe: the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnes, and shall not returne, that vnto me euery knee shall bowe, euery tongue shall sweare.
Jeremiah 49:13
For I haue sworne by my selfe, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproch, a waste, and a curse, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetuall wastes.
For I haue sworne by my selfe, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproch, a waste, and a curse, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetuall wastes.
Jeremiah 51:14
The Lord of hostes hath sworne by himselfe, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift vp a shoute against thee.
The Lord of hostes hath sworne by himselfe, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift vp a shoute against thee.
Amos 6:8
The Lord God hath sworne by himselfe, saith the Lord the God of hostes, I abhorre the excellencie of Iacob, and hate his palaces: therefore wil I deliuer vp the citie, with all that is therein.
The Lord God hath sworne by himselfe, saith the Lord the God of hostes, I abhorre the excellencie of Iacob, and hate his palaces: therefore wil I deliuer vp the citie, with all that is therein.
Luke 1:73
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs,
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs,
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.
