Dishonest Scales (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12)
1 CPDV A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will. BSB BSB: Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 CPDV Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom. BSB BSB: When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 CPDV The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them. BSB BSB: The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4 CPDV Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death. BSB BSB: Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5 CPDV The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety. BSB BSB: The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 CPDV The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery. BSB BSB: The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7 CPDV When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish. BSB BSB: When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8 CPDV The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him. BSB BSB: The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9 CPDV The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge. BSB BSB: With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 CPDV In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise. BSB BSB: When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 CPDV By the blessing of the just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted. BSB BSB: By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12 CPDV Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent. BSB BSB: Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 CPDV Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend. BSB BSB: A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 CPDV Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be. BSB BSB: For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15 CPDV He will be afflicted with evil, who provides a guarantee for an outsider. But whoever is wary of traps shall be secure. BSB BSB: He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16 CPDV A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth. BSB BSB: A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 CPDV A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives. BSB BSB: A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 CPDV The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness. BSB BSB: The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 CPDV Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death. BSB BSB: Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20 CPDV A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity. BSB BSB: The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 CPDV Hand in hand, the evil shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved. BSB BSB: Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 CPDV A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine. BSB BSB: Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 CPDV The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury. BSB BSB: The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24 CPDV Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need. BSB BSB: One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25 CPDV The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself. BSB BSB: A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 CPDV Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it. BSB BSB: The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27 CPDV He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them. BSB BSB: He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28 CPDV Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf. BSB BSB: He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29 CPDV Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise. BSB BSB: He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 CPDV The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise. BSB BSB: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 CPDV If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner! BSB BSB: If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.