Proverbs 22:16

The Message

Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you’ll end up the poorer for it.

Cross References

Psalm 12:5

Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: “I’ve had enough; I’m on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.”

Proverbs 14:31

You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God.

Proverbs 28:22

A miser in a hurry to get rich doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke.

Proverbs 28:3

The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.

Ecclesiastes 5:8

Don’t be too upset when you see the poor kicked around, and justice and right violated all over the place. Exploitation filters down from one petty official to another. There’s no end to it, and nothing can be done about it. But the good earth doesn’t cheat anyone—even a bad king is honestly served by a field.