Proverbs 16-18

Themes continue to be (1) don’t be foolish, (2) wise people accept criticism, (3) Don’t be stuck up, (4) be good to the poor.

For these I’m going to collect the last two categories.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making

Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished

The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly

Honest scales have come up more than once.  I wonder if it is usual to have such a prominent teaching of justice for the poor.  It comes up often in Hebrew & Christian Scripture.  I’m not sufficiently educated in contemporary religions of the day to know if this is an interesting marker.