Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageWhoever oppresses the poor to line his own pockets, or pays tribute to the rich, will come to poverty in the end.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GOne who exploits the destitute to enrich himself, or gives gifts to the wealthy — both paths lead only to want.
KJV
King James VersionHe that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleOppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
Footnotes
This verse presents a striking moral irony: two apparently opposite actions — robbing the poor and lavishing gifts on the rich — share the same outcome: *machsor* (poverty/lack). The common thread is that both distort the proper flow of resources and exploit the vulnerable for self-advancement. The rich patron in view is likely someone whose favour is being bought. Ancient economies of patronage meant giving to the already-powerful was a form of self-serving investment. Both FOG and FOG Message preserve the ironic parallel structure, though FOG uses 'gifts' and FOG Message uses 'tribute' to capture the patronage dynamic.