Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights? New Living Translation How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? English Standard Version Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights? Berean Standard Bible Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? King James Bible Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? New King James Version Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights? New American Standard Bible “Can I justify dishonest balances, And a bag of fraudulent weights? NASB 1995 “Can I justify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights? NASB 1977 “Can I justify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights? Legacy Standard Bible Can I purify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights? Amplified Bible “Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales And a bag of dishonest weights? Christian Standard Bible Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights? Holman Christian Standard Bible Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights? American Standard Version Shall I be pure with wicked balances, and with a bag of deceitful weights? Contemporary English Version But I, the LORD, will punish you for cheating with weights and with measures. English Revised Version Shall I be pure with wicked balances, and with a bag of deceitful weights? GOD'S WORD® Translation I cannot tolerate dishonest scales and bags filled with inaccurate weights. Good News Translation How can I forgive those who use false scales and weights? International Standard Version Will I tolerate those who maintain deceptive standards and who use deceitful weights in their business? Majority Standard Bible Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? NET Bible I do not condone the use of rigged scales, or a bag of deceptive weights. New Heart English Bible Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights? Webster's Bible Translation Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? World English Bible Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo I reckon [it] pure with balances of wickedness? And with a bag of deceitful stones? Young's Literal Translation Do I reckon it pure with balances of wickedness? And with a bag of deceitful stones? Smith's Literal Translation Shall I make clean with the balances of injustice, and with the bag of stones of deceit? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShall I justify wicked balances, and the deceitful weights of the bag? Catholic Public Domain Version Shall I justify unfaithful balances, and the deceitful weighing of a small bag? New American Bible Shall I acquit crooked scales, bags of false weights? New Revised Standard Version Can I tolerate wicked scales and a bag of dishonest weights? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHow can they justify themselves with the wicked scales and with the bag of deceitful weights? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated How would they be justified with a balance of evil and with a bag of the weights of deceit? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Shall I be pure with wicked balances, And with a bag of deceitful weights?' Brenton Septuagint Translation Shall the wicked be justified by the balanced, or deceitful weights in the bag, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Punishment of Israel…10Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? 11Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? 12For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.… Cross References Proverbs 11:1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. 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. Deuteronomy 25:13-16 You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. / You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. / You 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. ... 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. Hosea 12:7 A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands. 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. Ezekiel 45:10 You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath. Isaiah 1:22-23 Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. / Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. Jeremiah 5:26-29 For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. ... Zechariah 5:8-11 “This is Wickedness,” he said. And he shoved her down into the basket, pushing down the lead cover over its opening. / Then I lifted up my eyes and saw two women approaching, with the wind in their wings. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth. / “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me. ... Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. James 5:1-6 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... 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 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? count them pure. Hosea 12:7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. the bag. Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. Jump to Previous Acquit Bag Balances Count Deceitful Deceptive Dishonest Justify Possible Punishment Pure Reckon Scales Stones Unjust Weights Wicked Wickedness WrongJump to Next Acquit Bag Balances Count Deceitful Deceptive Dishonest Justify Possible Punishment Pure Reckon Scales Stones Unjust Weights Wicked Wickedness WrongMicah 6 1. God's punishment for ingratitude;6. for ignorance, 10. for injustice; 16. and for idolatry. Can I excuse dishonest scales This phrase addresses the issue of integrity in business practices, a common theme in the prophetic books. In ancient Israel, scales were used in trade to measure goods accurately. Dishonest scales symbolize corruption and deceit, which God condemns. The Law of Moses explicitly forbids such practices (Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16), emphasizing God's demand for honesty and fairness. This reflects God's character as just and righteous, and His expectation that His people reflect these attributes in their dealings. or bags of false weights? Persons / Places / Events 1. MicahA prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His messages were directed towards both Israel and Judah, focusing on social justice and true worship. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, where Micah primarily directed his prophecies. During Micah's time, Judah was experiencing social and economic injustices, which the prophet condemned. 3. Dishonest Scales and False Weights These are metaphors for deceit and corruption in business practices. In ancient times, scales and weights were used in trade, and dishonest measures were a way to cheat others. Teaching Points God's Standard of JusticeGod demands honesty and integrity in all aspects of life, including business and trade. Dishonest practices are not just a social issue but a spiritual one, as they reflect a heart that is not aligned with God's righteousness. The Consequences of Corruption Corruption and deceit lead to societal decay. When individuals and businesses engage in dishonest practices, it erodes trust and justice, leading to broader societal harm. Personal Integrity As Christians, we are called to live with integrity in all areas of life. This includes being honest in our dealings, whether in business, personal relationships, or any other area. Repentance and Restoration If we find ourselves guilty of dishonest practices, God calls us to repentance. True repentance involves turning away from sin and making restitution where possible. Reflecting God's Character Our actions should reflect God's character. By living honestly and justly, we bear witness to God's righteousness and justice in the world.(11) Shall I count them pure?--Rather, Can I be innocent with the deceitful balances? The enactments about weights were very stringently expressed in the Law, both affirmatively and negatively: e.g., in Leviticus 19:35-36, "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have." And, "thou shalt not have in thy house divers weights," . . . and "divers measures, a great and small" (Deuteronomy 25:13-14).Verse 11. - Shall I count them pure? literally, Shall I be pure? The clause is obscure. The Authorized Version regards the speaker as the same as in ver. 10, and translates with some violence to the text. It may be that the prophet speaks as the representative of the awakened transgressor, "Can I be guiltless with such deceit about me?" But the sudden change of personification and of state of feeling is very harsh. Hence some follow Jerome in regarding God as the speaker, and rendering, "Shall I justify the wicked balance?" others, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee, Αἰ δικαιωθήσεται ἐν ζυγῷ ἄνομος; "Shall the wicked be justified by the balance?" Cheyne is inclined to read the verb in the second person, "Canst thou (O Jerusalem) be pure?" since in the next verse the prophet proceeds, "the rich men thereof" (i.e. of Jerusalem). If we retain the present reading, "Can I be innocent?" we must consider the question as put, for effect's sake, in the mouth of one of the rich oppressors. Jerome's translation is contrary to the use of the verb, which is always intransitive in kal. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Can I excuseהַאֶזְכֶּ֖ה (ha·’ez·keh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 2135: To be translucent, to be innocent dishonest רֶ֑שַׁע (re·ša‘) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7562: Wickedness scales בְּמֹ֣אזְנֵי (bə·mō·zə·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - mdc Strong's 3976: A pair of scales or bags וּבְכִ֖יס (ū·ḇə·ḵîs) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3599: A cup, a bag for, money, weights of false מִרְמָֽה׃ (mir·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4820: Deceit, treachery weights? אַבְנֵ֥י (’aḇ·nê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 68: A stone Links Micah 6:11 NIVMicah 6:11 NLT Micah 6:11 ESV Micah 6:11 NASB Micah 6:11 KJV Micah 6:11 BibleApps.com Micah 6:11 Biblia Paralela Micah 6:11 Chinese Bible Micah 6:11 French Bible Micah 6:11 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Micah 6:11 Shall I be pure with dishonest scales (Mc Mic. Mi) |
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