Read Proverbs 20 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph:
19:10-21:30 {p} …
Pro 20:6-30 Chiastic Structure:
Diverse weights, and diverse measures, both of them are an abomination to YHVH. Pro 20:10
Diverse weights are an abomination to YHVH; and a false balance is not good. Pro 20:23
The Hebrew for ‘diverse weights,’ translated literally, is actually ‘weight and weight’ and ‘measure and measure.’ This refers to having two weights: a light weight that gives a man an advantage when buying (he pays less) and a heavy weight that gives him an advantage when selling (he charges more). The same applies to two measures: a larger measure that benefits him when buying (he receives more) and a smaller measure that benefits him when selling (he delivers less). Neither weight nor measure is true; both deceive alike.
Thus, the ‘bread of deceit’ means the same as ill-gotten gains. Whatever income a man obtains is used to put bread on his table. Income gained by falsehood or fraud—such as diverse weights or measures—can at first seem pleasant because it costs him less than it costs another. However, instead of nourishing him, that bread turns to gravel in his mouth—vain and worthless, not only accomplishing nothing good but causing harm in the long run.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Proverbs 15, And that which is an abomination to YHVH – Christine Miller
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