The ways of the scoundrel are evil. He devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right.
Parallel translations
- KJV The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
- BSB The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
- NKJV Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans To destroy the poor with lying words, Even when the needy speaks justice.
- NASB As for a rogue, his weapons are evil; He devises wicked schemes To destroy the poor with slander, Even though the needy one speaks what is right.
- NLT The smooth tricks of scoundrels are evil. They plot crooked schemes. They lie to convict the poor, even when the cause of the poor is just.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The scoundrel's ways are evil, scheming with lies to destroy the poor even when they plead rightly. It matters because it condemns deliberate exploitation of the vulnerable.
Overview
The 'scoundrel' devises wicked plots, using deceit to ruin the humble and needy regardless of their just cause. Isaiah exposes calculated injustice against the weak. God's righteous kingdom stands against such oppression, reflecting His heart for the poor and His ultimate vindication of the wronged.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Jer 5:26–28For among my people are found wicked men. They watch, as fowlers lie in wait. They set a trap. They catch men.
- Matt 26:59–60Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
- Matt 26:14–16Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
- Isa 5:23who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!
- Acts 6:11–13Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
- Ps 64:4–6to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
- Jer 18:18Then they said, “Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”
- Mic 2:11If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies: “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink”; he would be the prophet of this people.
- 1 Kgs 21:10–14Set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king!’ Then carry him out, and stone him to death.”
- Ps 82:2–5“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.
- Isa 59:3–4For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness.
- Mic 7:2–3The godly man has perished out of the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net.
- Isa 1:23Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don’t judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
- Matt 26:4They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
- Isa 61:1The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound;
- Ps 10:7–10His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 32:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.