Proverbs 22:23
ESV
for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.
NIV
for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.
NASB
For the Lord will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them.
CSB
for the Lord will champion their cause and will plunder those who plunder them.
NLT
For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
KJV
For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
NKJV
For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
What does Proverbs 22:23 mean?
Solomon was a champion of the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 22:16). This followed his sincere devotion to godly truth (Proverbs 1:7), as the Lord is the supreme champion of the poor. The prior verse noted that it was immoral to exploit disadvantaged people, including by denying them rights and protections. Solomon warns here that God, Himself, will act against those who abuse the weak.In his letter to Hebrew Christians, the apostle James opposes any show of bias against the poor. He writes, "Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" (James 2:5). In chapter 5 he berates rich farmers for withholding due wages from the laborers. He writes that the cries of the poor laborers "have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (James 5:4). Jesus' teaching included a blessing for the poor. In Luke 6:20 He said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
