111 A false [1] balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

Other Translations of Proverbs 11:1

New International Version

111 The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

English Standard Version

111 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.

The Message

111 God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.

New King James Version

111 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.

New Living Translation

111 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 11:1

Commentary on Proverbs 11:1

(Read Proverbs 11:1)

However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord.

5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

Other Translations of Amos 8:5

New International Version

5 saying, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?"- skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,

English Standard Version

5 saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekelAn ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters; a shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams great and deal deceitfully with false balances,

The Message

5 Who say, "When's my next paycheck coming so I can go out and live it up? How long till the weekend when I can go out and have a good time?" Who give little and take much, and never do an honest day's work.

New King James Version

5 Saying: "When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit,

New Living Translation

5 You can't wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 8:5

Commentary on Amos 8:4-10

(Read Amos 8:4-10)

The rich and powerful of the land were the most guilty of oppression, as well as the foremost in idolatry. They were weary of the restraints of the sabbaths and the new moons, and wished them over, because no common work might be done therein. This is the character of many who are called Christians. The sabbath day and sabbath work are a burden to carnal hearts. It will either be profaned or be accounted a dull day. But can we spend our time better than in communion with God? When employed in religious services, they were thinking of marketings. They were weary of holy duties, because their worldly business stood still the while. Those are strangers to God, and enemies to themselves, who love market days better than sabbath days, who would rather be selling corn than worshipping God. They have no regard to man: those who have lost the savour of piety, will not long keep the sense of common honesty. They cheat those they deal with. They take advantage of their neighbour's ignorance or necessity, in a traffic which nearly concerns the labouring poor. Could we witness the fraud and covetousness, which, in such numerous forms, render trading an abomination to the Lord, we should not wonder to see many dealers backward in the service of God. But he who thus despises the poor, reproaches his Maker; as it regards Him, rich and poor meet together. Riches that are got by the ruin of the poor, will bring ruin on those that get them. God will remember their sin against them. This speaks the case of such unjust, unmerciful men, to be miserable indeed, miserable for ever. There shall be terror and desolation every where. It shall come upon them when they little think of it. Thus uncertain are all our creature-comforts and enjoyments, even life itself; in the midst of life we are in death. What will be the wailing in the bitter day which follows sinful and sensual pleasures!