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Pro_22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
Ver. 16. He that oppresseth the poor, &c.] By fraud or force, or any indirect means. This man lays his foundation in firework, {Job_20:26} he walks upon a mine of gunpowder; "brimstone is scattered upon his habitation"; {Job_18:15} if but a flash of God’s lightning light upon it, all will be on fire, all blown up and brought to nothing.
And he that giveth to the rich.] Either to ingratiate and curry favour for countenancing their oppressive practices, or with a mind to get more than they give - for so saith one, that clause, To increase their riches, must here be repeated - which is a more artificial kind of selling their gifts, than if they had professedly set them to sale, as the Greek orator observeth. {a} Both these take a wrong course to be rich. The way were to give to the poor, and not to oppress them, and to "bring presents to him that ought to be feared," {Psa_76:11} since it is he alone that "giveth us all things richly to enjoy." {1Ti_6:17}
{a} Isocr. ad Demon.