Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:16

As Scott says, “The translation and meaning of this verse are doubtful.” Some take the verse as a single sentence; others regard it as having two parallel lines that express a contrast. The general sense seems to be that greed defeats itself.

“He who oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth”: For “oppresses” see 14.31. To “increase . . . wealth” means in this context to get more wealth or to cause the wealth to grow. See 13.11. This line is literally “one who oppresses a poor man to make increase for him.” Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version take the final “him” as referring to the person who oppresses, as do Good News Translation and some others. In this case the line is the beginning of a statement that is completed in the next line. However, the final “him” may also be taken as referring to the poor man who is oppressed. In this case the line makes a complete statement in itself: “Harsh treatment enriches the poor” (New Jerusalem Bible).

“Or gives to the rich, will only come to want”: A literal rendering of this line is “one who gives to a rich man, only for lack.” “Giving to the rich” (New Revised Standard Version) is taken by most as a second activity along with “oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,” and the result of both activities is what the final words of this line express. Those who follow this approach render the final words as something like “will lead only to loss” (New Revised Standard Version), “you will become poor yourself” (Good News Translation), or “both come to poverty” (New International Version). Although there are alternative renderings in some versions, the Handbook recommends this approach as the best way of handling the difficult text. Contemporary English Version gives a good expression of it in colloquial English: “Cheat the poor to make profit or give gifts to the rich—either way you lose.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 22:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 22:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person who oppresses the poor and gives a bribe to the powerful
    wanting to prosper/move himself forward, will become poor.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those who oppress poor people
    and those who keep on giving gifts to the rich
    in order to increase their own wealth,
    will become paupers.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A man who gives to the rich or oppresses the poor so-that he will-become-rich will-become poor.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If you (sing.) cause-hardship-to the poor so-that you (sing.) will-become-rich, you (sing.) will nonetheless become-poor. Likewise also if you (sing.) give-gifts-to a rich-(person).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who oppress poor people in order to become rich,
    and those who give a bribe to rich people in order that the rich people will do a favor for them,
    will just lose their money.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 22:16

22:16

In Hebrew, this verse has two parallel lines. They have been divided into three lines here to show the relationships more clearly.

16a Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself

16b or giving gifts to the rich

16c will surely lead to poverty.

There are three main ways to interpret this verse:

(1) There are two different strategies for becoming wealthier. One strategy is to oppress the poor. The other is to give gifts to the rich. Both strategies will fail. For example:

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (English Standard Version)

(2) Oppressing the poor makes them rich. Giving gifts to the rich makes them poor. For example:

Harsh treatment enriches the poor, but a gift impoverishes the rich. (New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) A person who oppresses the poor becomes wealthier. A person who gives gifts to the rich becomes poor. For example:

Oppression of the poor brings gain, but giving to the rich leads only to penury. (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions.

There are several variations of this interpretation:

• Some versions, such as the New International Version, refer to different people who do different things and who both become poor.

• Other versions, such as the English Standard Version, refer to one person who does either or both things and who becomes poor.

• Still other versions refer to two different actions or strategies that both result in poverty. These strategies could be used by the same person or by different people. For example:

Oppressing the poor for profit or giving to the rich certainly leads to poverty. (God’s Word)

You may use any of these variations in your translation.

22:16a

Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself: This line refers to a person who causes hardship to poor people in order to make himself wealthier. Oppressing them by not paying them fair wages, by cheating them, or by charging them high rates of interest. Some other ways to translate this line are:

Cheat the poor to make profit (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Whoever mistreats the poor in order to get rich

22:16b

or giving gifts to the rich: It is implied from the first line that the person who gives gifts to the rich intends to benefit himself. These gifts may be bribes to win a business contract. They may also be gifts that are intended to gain the help and favor of the rich. Some other ways to translate this line are:

or gives gifts to the rich— (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and whoever bribes the rich ⌊to gain their help⌋

22:16c

will surely lead to poverty: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “only to poverty/lack.” You may translate it so that it refers to a person or persons who become poor, as in the New International Version, or English Standard Version. You may also translate it so that it refers to actions that result in poverty or loss, as in the God’s Word or the Contemporary English Version. Here is another way to translate this:

either way you lose (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 22:16a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. For example:

If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself. (Good News Translation)

See also 22:16a–c (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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