Proverbs 22:16 (KJV)

Passage

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Proverbs 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Proverbs 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

Proverbs 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "oppresseth", "poor", "increase", "riches", "giveth", "shall", and "surely". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "oppresseth" and "poor", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "Foolishness is bound in the heart of..." into verse 17's "Bow down thine ear and hear the...", so "oppresseth" and "poor" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "oppresseth" and "poor" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.