9 Bible Verses about Dishonesty Condemned

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

A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord,
But an accurate scale is His delight.

Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.

“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].

Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

“Like the partridge that hatches eggs which she has not laid,
So is he who makes a fortune in ways that are unjust.
It will be lost to him before his days are over,
And in the end he will be [nothing but] a fool.”

“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who builds his house by [acts of] unrighteousness
And his upper chambers by injustice,
Who uses his neighbor’s service without pay
And does not give him wages [for his work],

A merchant, in whose hand are false and fraudulent balances;
He loves to oppress and exploit.

“Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales
And a bag of dishonest weights?