Proverbs 22:22 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 22:22

20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,

21 ^aThat I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
^bThat you may answer words of truth
To those who¹ send to you?

22 Do not rob the ^apoor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

23 ^aFor the Lord will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a ^afurious man do not go,

25 Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.

26 ^aDo not be one of those who¹ shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is¹ surety for debts;

27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should he take away your bed from under you?

28 ^aDo not remove the ancient¹ landmark
Which your fathers have set.

29 Do you see a man who¹ excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before¹ unknown men.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 22:22

American Standard Version
Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

Amplified® Bible
Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held],

Contemporary English Version
Don't take advantage of the poor or cheat them in court.

Darby English Version
Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;

Good News Bible
Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.

King James Version
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

New American Standard Bible
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;

New International Version
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,

New King James Version
Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Do not rob the poor because he has little, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;

Revised Standard Version
Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate;

Young's Literal Translation
Rob not the poor because he `is' poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.

New English Translation
Do not exploit¹ a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,²