Micah 6:11

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?

American Standard Version (1901)

Shall I be pure with wicked balances, and with a bag of deceitful weights?

Bible in Basic English

Is it possible for me to let wrong scales and the bag of false weights go without punishment?

Douay-Rheims 1899

Shall I justify wicked balances, and the deceitful weights of the bag?

Free Bible Version

How can I accept those who use unfair scales and dishonest weights?

Geneva Bible 1599

Shall I iustifie the wicked balances, and the bag of deceitfull weightes?

King James (Authorized) Version

Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?

Translation for Translators

Do you think that [RHQ] I should say nothing about people who use scales that do not weigh correctly, and who use weights that are not accurate?

Unlocked Literal Bible

Should I consider a person to be innocent if he uses fraudulent scales, with a bag of deceptive weights?

Noah Webster Bible

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?

Young's Literal Translation

Do I reckon [it] pure with balances of wickedness? And with a bag of deceitful stones?

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.

Summary

In this verse, the prophet Micah condemns the dishonest practices of the people, specifically mentioning the use of 'false balances' and 'deceitful weights.' These actions reflect a lack of integrity and fairness in their dealings with others, which goes against God's commandments. Micah's message serves as a reminder that God desires honesty, justice, and righteousness in all aspects of life, including business transactions. The verse underscores the importance of upholding moral values and treating others with honesty and respect, reflecting the character of God.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Shall I count them pure--literally, "Shall I be pure with?" &c. With the pure God shows Himself pure; but with the froward God shows Himself froward (Psa 18:26). Men often are changeable in their judgments. But God, in the case of the impure who use "wicked balances," cannot be pure, that is, cannot deal with them as He would with the pure. VATABLUS and HENDERSON make the "I" to be "any one"; "Can I (that is, one) be innocent with wicked balances?" But as "I," in Mic 6:13, refers to Jehovah, it must refer to Him also here. the bag--in which weights used to be carried, as well as money (Deu 25:13; Pro 16:11).