Dishonest Scales
Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12
1A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.+ 2When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.+ 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.+ 4Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.+ 5The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.+ 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.+ 7When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.+ 8A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.+ 9With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.+ 10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.+ 11By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.+ 12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.+ 13One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.+ 14Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.+ 15He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.+ 16A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.+ 17The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.+ 18Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.+ 19He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.+ 20Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.+ 21Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.+ 22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.+ 23The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.+ 24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.+ 25The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.+ 26People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.+ 27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.+ 28He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.+ 29He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.+ 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.+ 31Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!+