Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, New Living Translation Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. English Standard Version Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, Berean Standard Bible Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, King James Bible Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: New King James Version Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; New American Standard Bible Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor crush the needy at the gate; NASB 1995 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; NASB 1977 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; Legacy Standard Bible Do not rob the poor because he is poor, And do not crush the afflicted at the gate; Amplified Bible Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless], Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held], Christian Standard Bible Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the city gate, Holman Christian Standard Bible Don’t rob a poor man because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the gate, American Standard Version Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: Contemporary English Version Don't take advantage of the poor or cheat them in court. English Revised Version Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: GOD'S WORD® Translation Do not rob the poor because they are poor or trample on the rights of an oppressed person at the city gate, Good News Translation Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court. International Standard Version Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court, Majority Standard Bible Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, NET Bible Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, New Heart English Bible Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court; Webster's Bible Translation Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: World English Bible Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo not rob the poor because he [is] poor, "" And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate. Young's Literal Translation Rob not the poor because he is poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not strip the poor because he is poor: and thou shalt not crush the humble in the gate. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDo no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate: Catholic Public Domain Version Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate. New American Bible Do not rob the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate; New Revised Standard Version Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDo not oppress the poor because he is poor; neither afflict the needy in the gate. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Do not oppress the poor because he is poor and do not humiliate the afflicted one in the gate. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Rob not the weak, because he is weak, Neither crush the poor in the gate; Brenton Septuagint Translation Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Thirty Sayings of the Wise…21to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? 22Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, 23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.… Cross References Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. Isaiah 10:1-2 Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Amos 5:11-12 Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. Micah 2:1-2 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. Zechariah 7:9-10 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 72:4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Job 5:15-16 He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth and from the clutches of the powerful. / So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth. James 2:5-6 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? / But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Matthew 23:14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. Luke 20:46-47 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.” 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Treasury of Scripture Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: rob Proverbs 23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. oppress Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. Exodus 23:6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. Job 29:12-16 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him… Jump to Previous Afflicted Bruise Court Cruel Crush Crushed Exploit Gate Judge Needy Ones Oppress Poor Property Rob WeakJump to Next Afflicted Bruise Court Cruel Crush Crushed Exploit Gate Judge Needy Ones Oppress Poor Property Rob WeakProverbs 22 1. A good name is more desirable than great wealthDo not rob a poor man because he is poor This phrase emphasizes the moral imperative to protect the vulnerable in society. In ancient Israel, the poor were often marginalized and lacked the resources to defend themselves. The command not to rob them underscores the biblical principle of justice and compassion. The Torah, particularly in books like Deuteronomy and Leviticus, repeatedly calls for the protection of the poor and the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of their social status. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the oppressed, as seen in passages like Psalm 82:3-4, which calls for defending the weak and fatherless. The prohibition against exploiting the poor is a reflection of God's character, who is described as a defender of the needy (Psalm 68:5). and do not crush the afflicted at the gate Persons / Places / Events 1. The Poor ManRepresents individuals who are economically disadvantaged and vulnerable to exploitation. 2. The Afflicted Refers to those who are suffering or oppressed, often due to their socio-economic status. 3. The Gate In ancient times, city gates were places of legal transactions and public gatherings, symbolizing justice and community decision-making. Teaching Points Value of JusticeGod calls His people to uphold justice, especially for the vulnerable. We must ensure that our actions and systems do not exploit or oppress the poor. Compassion Over Exploitation Believers are encouraged to show compassion and mercy rather than taking advantage of others' weaknesses or misfortunes. Community Responsibility As members of a community, Christians have a responsibility to advocate for fair treatment and justice for all, particularly at places of decision-making and influence. Reflecting God's Character By protecting and supporting the poor and afflicted, we reflect God's heart for justice and mercy in our lives and communities. Practical Advocacy Engage in practical ways to support the poor, such as volunteering, supporting fair trade, and advocating for policies that protect the vulnerable.5. FIRST APPENDIX TO THE "PROVERBS OF SOLOMON" (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16), CONTAINING PROVERBS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS, FROM THE DISTICH TO THE LENGTHENED DIDACTIC POEM (Proverbs 22:22 to Proverbs 24:22). (22) Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate.--The place of business (Genesis 34:20) and of judgment (Deuteronomy 21:19; Amos 5:15). (Comp. the title, "the Sublime Porte.") This, with the following Proverbs 22:23, forms a tetrastich or verse of four lines, as do also Proverbs 22:24-25. . . . Verse 22-ch. 24:22. - Here commence the "words of the wise." Verse 22. - This and the following verse form a terrastich, which connects itself in thought with ver. 16. Rob not the poor, because he is poor. The word for "poor" is here dal, which means "feeble," "powerless" (see on Proverbs 19:4), and the writer enjoins the disciple not to be induced by his weakness to injure and despoil a poor man. Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate. The gate is the place of judgment, the court of justice (comp. Job 31:21). The warning points to the particular form of wrong inflicted on the lowly by unjust judges, who could give sentences from which, however iniquitous, there was practically no appeal.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do notאַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not rob תִּגְזָל־ (tiḡ·zāl-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob a poor דָּ֭ל (dāl) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin man because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he ה֑וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is poor, דַל־ (ḏal-) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin and do not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not crush תְּדַכֵּ֖א (tə·ḏak·kê) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1792: To crumble, to bruise the afflicted עָנִ֣י (‘ā·nî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble at the gate, בַשָּֽׁעַר׃ (ḇaš·šā·‘ar) Preposition, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate Links Proverbs 22:22 NIVProverbs 22:22 NLT Proverbs 22:22 ESV Proverbs 22:22 NASB Proverbs 22:22 KJV Proverbs 22:22 BibleApps.com Proverbs 22:22 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 22:22 Chinese Bible Proverbs 22:22 French Bible Proverbs 22:22 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:22 Don't exploit the poor because he (Prov. 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