Dishonest Scales (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12)
1 UST Yahweh detests{ people} using weighing instruments in order to deceive others, but it pleases him when people use correct weights{ on their weighing instruments}. BSB BSB: Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2 UST When people act proudly, they will soon disgrace themselves, but humble people are wise. BSB BSB: When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 UST Upright people know what to do because they are honest, but being deceitful will ruin treacherous people. BSB BSB: The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4 UST What people own will not help them when Yahweh punishes{ wicked people}, but he will not kill those who live righteously. BSB BSB: Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5 UST Being righteous will cause innocent people to live securely, but being wicked will ruin those who act wickedly. BSB BSB: The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 UST Being righteous will cause people who act uprightly to escape{ harm}, but desiring{ bad} things will cause people who act treacherously to trap themselves. BSB BSB: The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7 UST When wicked people die, what they hoped for never happens; they hoped that being strong would benefit them, but it will not. BSB BSB: When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8 UST Yahweh rescues righteous people from becoming distressed; but wicked people will become distressed instead. BSB BSB: The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9 UST People who reject God ruin other people by what they say, but what righteous people know will cause them to escape. BSB BSB: With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 UST People in a city rejoice when the righteous people{ there} prosper, and they shout joyously when wicked people die. BSB BSB: When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 UST A city becomes great when people who act uprightly bless{ the people there}, but what people who act wickedly say destroys that city. 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 UST People who{ openly} detest someone they know are not thinking wisely; but understanding people say nothing. BSB BSB: Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 UST People who go around gossiping tell{ others} what is secret, but trustworthy people will keep a matter private. BSB BSB: A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 UST Not having anyone to guide a group of people will ruin them, but having many people to advise them will keep that group secure. BSB BSB: For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15 UST People who guarantee{ to pay a debt} for someone they do not know will surely suffer, but people who avoid agreeing{ to do such a thing} will be safe. BSB BSB: He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16 UST People honor a gracious woman, but cruel men{ only} get wealth. BSB BSB: A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 UST People who are faithfully kind greatly benefit themselves, but cruel people hurt themselves. BSB BSB: A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 UST People who act wickedly falsely believe that they have gained{ something good}, but God truly rewards people who do what is right. BSB BSB: The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 UST People who truly act righteously will live{ well}, but people who eagerly do what is evil will die. BSB BSB: Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20 UST Yahweh detests people who think deceitfully, but people who act blamelessly please him. BSB BSB: The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21 UST It is certain that Yahweh will punish wicked people, and that he will not punish those who belong to the righteous group. BSB BSB: Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 UST { It is as unsuitable for} a beautiful woman to refuse to act discreetly{ as it is for} a pig to have a gold ring in its snout. BSB BSB: Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 UST When righteous people get what they want, it results in only good things, but when wicked people get what they hope for, it results in{ Yahweh} being angry. BSB BSB: The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24 UST Some people generously share{ what they have with others} but they receive even more. Other people keep more{ of what they have} than they should keep, but they still become poor. BSB BSB: One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25 UST People who generously bless others will prosper; and people who generously give others what the others need will also receive everything that they need. BSB BSB: A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 UST People curse anyone who{ selfishly} hoards grain{ instead of selling it}, but they bless people who sell it{ when others need it}. BSB BSB: The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27 UST If you sincerely want to do what is right, people will treat you well, but evil things happen to people who try to do what is evil. BSB BSB: He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28 UST People who depend on their money will not be successful, but righteous people will thrive like a green plant. BSB BSB: He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29 UST People who trouble their families will not inherit anything, and people who act foolishly will serve people who think wisely. 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 UST What righteous people say and do is{ like} a tree{ with fruit} that keeps people alive, and people who persuade others{ to be righteous} are wise. BSB BSB: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 UST Pay attention! Righteous people on the earth will get what they deserve; but even more so, wicked, sinful people will{ also} get what they deserve! 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.