Dishonest Scales
Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12
1A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight.+ 2When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom.+ 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.+ 4Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.+ 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.+ 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.+ 7When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth.+ 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble; And the wicked cometh in his stead.+ 9With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.+ 10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And 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.+ 12He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.+ 13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.+ 14Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.+ 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is secure.+ 16A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches.+ 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.+ 18The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness [hath] a sure reward.+ 19He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life; And he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.+ 20They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.+ 21[Though] hand [join] in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.+ 22[As] a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, [So is] a fair woman that is without discretion.+ 23The desire of the righteous is only good; [But] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.+ 24There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.+ 25The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.+ 26He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.+ 27He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.+ 28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.+ 29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.+ 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.+ 31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!+