יִרְמְיָה יז:י-יא
10 אֲנִי יְהוָה חֹקֵר לֵב בֹּחֵן כְּלָיֹות וְלָתֵת לְאִישׁ [כְּדַרְכֹּו כ] (כִּדְרָכָיו ק) כִּפְרִי מַעֲלָלָיו׃
11 קֹרֵא דָגַר וְלֹא יָלָד עֹשֶׂה עֹשֶׁר וְלֹא בְמִשְׁפָּט בַּחֲצִי [יֹמֹו כ] (יָמָיו ק) יַעַזְבֶנּוּ וּבְאַחֲרִיתֹו יִהְיֶה נָבָל׃
I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,to reward a man according to his conduct,according to what his deeds deserve.Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means.When his life is half gone, they will desert him,and in the end he will prove to be a fool.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What sentiment is Jeremiah expressing about how our actions are judged and in particular how we acquire wealth or do business?
2. What does Jeremiah suggest will be the punishment for acquiring wealth by unjust means?
3. How do we respond when in many cases today those who acquire wealth by unjust means do not find their wealth leaving them?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)