You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume.
Parallel translations
- WEB “‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.
- KJV Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
- ESV “You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.
- NKJV ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume.
- NASB ‘You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or volume.
- NLT “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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
Israel must commit no dishonesty in legal judgments or in measurements of length, weight, or volume. God demands integrity in every dealing.
Overview
Justice is not only a matter of courts but of marketplaces, where false measures cheat the unsuspecting. God ties holiness to honest weights and balances, showing that worship and commerce are not separate spheres. Such integrity reflects the character of a righteous God who judges justly and calls His people to truthfulness in all things.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Deut 25:15You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
- Deut 25:13You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light.
- Matt 7:2For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
- Ezek 22:12–13In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.
- Mic 6:1Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.
- Lev 19:15You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
- Prov 20:10Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
- Prov 11:1Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
- Prov 16:11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
- Amos 8:5–6asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 19:35 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.