22:7

Notice that the parallel parts are arranged in the form of a chiasm:

7a
The rich rule over the poor,

7b and the borrower is slave to the lender.

The relationship between the rich and the poor is similar to the relationship between the lender and the borrower. In some languages, this relationship may be clearer if the order of the parallel pairs in one line is changed. For example:

7a
The poor are ruled by the rich,

7b and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders. (Contemporary English Version)

The parallel lines of this proverb may refer to different situations. However, it is also possible that the rich rule over the poor. They make them their slaves by lending them money. For example:

Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender’s slave. (Good News Translation)

22:7a

The rich rule over the poor: This clause means that rich people have power and authority over poor people. It is usually the rich who are government leaders and make the rules that other people have to follow. It is also the rich who hire poor people as laborers and tell them what to do.

22:7b

and the borrower is slave to the lender: This clause may refer literally to a situation in which the borrower cannot repay the loan, so he has to become the lender’s slave. It may also refer figuratively to the obligation that a borrower feels toward the person who loaned him money. Another way to translate this clause is:

the borrower becomes the lender’s slave (Revised English Bible)

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