כָּל דֶּרֶךְ אִישׁ יָשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו וְתֹכֵן לִבּוֹת ה': עֲשֹׂה צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט נִבְחָר לַה' מִזָּבַח: רוּם עֵינַיִם וּרְחַב לֵב נִר רְשָׁעִים חַטָּאת: מַחְשְׁבוֹת חָרוּץ אַךְ לְמוֹתָר וְכָל אָץ אַךְ לְמַחְסוֹר: פֹּעַל אוֹצָרוֹת בִּלְשׁוֹן שָׁקֶר הֶבֶל נִדָּף מְבַקְשֵׁי מָוֶת:
All the ways of a person seem right to them, but the LORD probes the mind. To do what is right and just is more desired by the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty looks, a proud heart -- the tillage of the wicked is sinful. The plans of the diligent make only for gain; all rash haste makes only for loss. Treasures acquired by a lying tongue are like driven vapor, heading for extinction.
[JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. According to this text, what actions are praiseworthy? Which are sinful?
2. Of the warnings here, which should we heed today?
1. According to this text, what actions are praiseworthy? Which are sinful?
2. Of the warnings here, which should we heed today?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)