Proverbs 11:1

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

Proverbs 11:1 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
The Message Bible (MSG)
1 God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.
American Standard Version (ASV)
1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
1 Dishonest scales are disgusting to the LORD, but accurate weights are pleasing to him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
1 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
1 The LORD hates it when people use scales to cheat others. But he is delighted when people use honest weights.

Proverbs 11:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:1

A false balance [is] abomination to the Lord
Under which are included all false weights and measures, and all fraudulent practices in commerce and dealing; which are forbidden by the Lord, and are abominable to him, as being injurious to the estates and properties of men: and more especially must be abominable in professors of religion, as being contrary to the grace of God; for though there may be common honesty where there is not the grace of God, yet there cannot be the true grace of God where there is not honesty; for the grace of God teaches to deny all such worldly lusts; but a just weight [is] his delight;
or a "perfect stone" F3; the ancient practice being to make use of stones for weights; Now to give just weight, and also just measure, and to do justly in all civil dealings with men, is what God requires, and is well pleasing in his sight F4; see ( Leviticus 19:35 Leviticus 19:36 ) . This may be understood of balances and weights in religious affairs; the balance of the sanctuary is the word of God, with which all doctrines are to be weighed, and, if found wanting, they are to be rejected; this is agreeable to the will of God: false balances are abominable to him; such as carnal reason, vain philosophy, and the traditions of men, used by antichrist and his followers; the harlot, described in some preceding chapters, opposed to Wisdom or Christ, who directs to the search of the Scriptures, and the use of them to try doctrines by, ( John 5:39 ) ; see ( Acts 17:11 ) ( 1 John 4:1 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hmlv Nba) "lapsis perfectus", Montanus, Gejerus.
F4 (metra nemein ta dikaia) Phocylid. Poem. Admon. v. 12, 13.

Proverbs 11:1 In-Context

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; S Job 6:2; Proverbs 20:10,23
  • 2. Proverbs 16:11; Ezekiel 45:10
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