English Standard Version
Proverbs 28:8
8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 28:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
- New International Version (NIV)Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
- New King James Version (NKJV)One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
Context of Proverbs 28:8
6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. 7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. 9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. 10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
Read all of Proverbs 28Proverbs 28:8 word by word
מַרְבֶּ֣ה ה֭וֹנוֹ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ וְתַרְבִּ֑ית לְחוֹנֵ֖ן דַּלִּ֣ים יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 28:8
- Proverbs 13:22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
- Job 27:16Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,
- Ecclesiastes 2:26For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- Leviticus 25:36Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.
- Ezekiel 18:8does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man,
- Proverbs 19:7All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.
- 2 Samuel 12:6and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
Commentaries on Proverbs 28:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8He that by usury - increaseth his substance - By taking unlawful interest for his money; lending to a man in great distress, money, for the use of which he requires an exorbitant sum. O that the names of all those unfeeling, hard-hearted, consummate villains in the nation, who thus take advantage of their neighbour's necessities to enrich themselves, were published at every market cross; and then the delinquents all sent to their brother savages in New…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Unjust gain - Omit “unjust:” “usury and gain” make up the notion of “gain derived from usury.” Ill-gotten gains do not prosper, after a time they pass into hands that know how to use them better.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8The law forbade charging interest on loans to needy Israelites (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19). The rich were told to lend generously to the poor (Proverbs 3:27–28; 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. usury ... unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 28:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries