Deuteronomy 25:13
New International Version
Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light.

New Living Translation
“You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise,

English Standard Version
“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small.

Berean Standard Bible
You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

New King James Version
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.

NASB 1995
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.

NASB 1977
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not have in your bag inaccurate weights, a heavy and a light [so you can cheat others].

Christian Standard Bible
“Do not have differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must not have two different weights in your bag, one heavy and one light.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not have in thy bag diverse weights, a great and a small.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never carry two sets of weights, a heavier one and a lighter one.

International Standard Version
"Don't have different weights in your bag—one heavy and one light.

Majority Standard Bible
You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light.

NET Bible
You must not have in your bag different stone weights, a heavy and a light one.

New Heart English Bible
You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, a great and a small.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small:

World English Bible
You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not have [both] a great stone and a small stone in your bag.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou hast not in thy bag a stone and a stone, a great and a small.

Smith's Literal Translation
There shall not be to thee in thy receptacle a stone and a stone, great and small.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not have divers weights in thy bag, a greater and a less:

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not have differing weights, greater and lesser, in your bag.

New American Bible
You shall not keep two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and the other light;

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, large and small.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not have in your bag different weights, a large and a small.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not have a greater weight and a lighter weight in your pouch.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not have in thy bag diverse weights, a great and a small.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Standard Weights and Measures
13You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. 14You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small.…

Cross References
Leviticus 19:35-36
You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. / You 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.

Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

Proverbs 20:10
Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.

Proverbs 20:23
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

Amos 8:5
asking, “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.

Micah 6:10-11
Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? / Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?

Ezekiel 45:10
You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath.

Hosea 12:7
A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.

Job 31:6
let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Mark 4:24
He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not have in your bag divers weights, a great and a small.

in thy bag

Leviticus 19:35,36
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure…

Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 16:11
A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

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Bag Different Differing Divers Diverse Heavy Kinds Large Small Stone Weights
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Bag Different Differing Divers Diverse Heavy Kinds Large Small Stone Weights
Deuteronomy 25
1. Punishment must not exceed forty lashes
4. The ox is not to be muzzled
5. Of raising seed unto a brother
11. Of the immodest woman
13. Of unjust weights and measures
17. The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out














You shall not have
This phrase is a direct command, emphasizing the moral imperative. The Hebrew root here is "לא יהיה" (lo yihyeh), which translates to "shall not be." This is a strong prohibition, indicating that the action is not merely discouraged but forbidden. In the context of the ancient Israelite community, this command underscores the importance of integrity and honesty in daily life, reflecting God's character as just and fair.

two differing weights
The Hebrew term for "weights" is "אבן" (eben), which literally means "stone." In ancient times, stones were commonly used as weights in trade. The phrase "differing weights" refers to the practice of using one set of weights for buying and another for selling, a deceitful practice that exploits others for personal gain. This commandment is a call to ethical business practices, ensuring fairness and justice in economic transactions.

in your bag
The "bag" (Hebrew: "כיס" - kis) refers to the pouch or container where weights were kept. This imagery suggests that the command is not just about public actions but also about private integrity. The bag symbolizes one's personal and professional dealings, highlighting that God’s standards apply both in public and in private life. It is a reminder that God sees all actions, even those hidden from human eyes.

one heavy and one light
This phrase illustrates the specific deceit of using a heavier weight for buying and a lighter one for selling. The Hebrew words "גדול" (gadol) for "heavy" and "קטן" (qaton) for "light" emphasize the deliberate manipulation involved in such practices. This commandment reflects the broader biblical principle of honesty and fairness, as seen in Proverbs 11:1, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." It calls believers to reflect God's justice in their interactions, promoting trust and righteousness in the community.

Deuteronomy 25:13-16. JUST WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

So Leviticus 19:35-36. Among the laws of moral holiness comes the law of just weights and measures.

(16) An abomination unto the Lord.--So in Proverbs 11:1, "a false balance is abomination to the Lord." (See also Amos 8:4-8.) The protection of the poor is the chief practical end in this; rich men can take care of themselves. Poor men are doubly robbed by short weight and measure, because they cannot protect themselves against it. The injustice tends to perpetuate their poverty.

Verses 13-16. - Rectitude and integrity in trade are here anew inculcated (cf. Leviticus 19:35, etc.). Verse 13. - Diverse weights; literally, a stone and a stone - a large one for buying, and a small one for selling (cf. Amos 8:5). Both weights and measures were to be "perfect," i.e. exactly correct, and so just. (On the promise in ver. 15, see Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 5:16.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You shall not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

two differing weights
אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

in your bag,
בְּכִֽיסְךָ֖ (bə·ḵî·sə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3599: A cup, a bag for, money, weights

one heavy
גְּדוֹלָ֖ה (gə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and one light.
וּקְטַנָּֽה׃ (ū·qə·ṭan·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:13 You shall not have in your bag (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 25:12
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