Proverbs 22:16

English Standard Version

¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, ^(A)will only come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16

New English Translation

¹⁶The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain
and the one who gives to the rich^[a]—both end up only in poverty.

Proverbs 22:16 tn Heb “oppressing the poor, it is gain; giving to the rich, it is loss.” The Hebrew is cryptic, but two sins are mentioned here that will be punished by poverty: extortion and bribery. Perhaps the proverb is simply saying it is easy to oppress the poor for gain, but it is a waste of money to try to buy or bribe a patron (D. Kidner, Proverbs [TOTC], 149).

²⁸Do not move the ancient ^(A)landmark
that your fathers have set.

²⁸Do not move an ancient boundary stone^[a]
that was put in place by your ancestors.^[b]

Proverbs 22:28 sn Moving a boundary stone was (and still is) a major problem. The boundaries that were established by the forefathers were to be preserved, but no law would stop such violations if people lacked integrity (e.g., Deut 19:14; 27:17; 1 Kgs 21:16-19). Boundaries in Israel were sacred because God owned the land and he apportioned the property to the tribes. To extend one’s property illegally by moving a neighbor’s boundary marker was a violation of covenant and oath. Of course, disputes could arise when both sides claim their ancestors established a boundary.
Proverbs 22:28 tn Heb “your fathers” (so NAB, NASB).sn The fourth saying deals with respect for property that belongs to other people (cf. Instruction of Amenemope, chap. 6, 7:12-13 [ANET 422]).

English Standard Version (ESV)

New English Translation (NET)