Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?
Parallel translations
- WEB Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights?
- KJV Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
- NKJV Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights?
- NASB “Can I justify dishonest balances, And a bag of fraudulent weights?
- NLT How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights?
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
God asks rhetorically whether He could declare innocent those who use rigged scales and false weights. It affirms that He will not acquit the dishonest.
Overview
Continuing the indictment of commerce, the LORD declares that He cannot count as pure those who trade with deceitful scales and weights, an abomination repeatedly condemned in the Law. His holiness makes pretended innocence impossible where injustice reigns. This honest reckoning underscores humanity's need for the righteousness that only God can provide in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Hos 12:7A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.
- Lev 19:36You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
- Prov 16:11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
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Original language
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