Micah 3:10
New Living Translation
10 You are building Jerusalem
on a foundation of murder and corruption.
Habakkuk 2:9-12
New Living Translation
9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses
with money gained dishonestly!
You believe your wealth will buy security,
putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.
10 But by the murders you committed,
you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.
11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you,
and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.
12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities
with money gained through murder and corruption!
Jeremiah 22:13-17
New Living Translation
A Message about Jehoiakim
13 And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,[a]
who builds his palace with forced labor.[b]
He builds injustice into its walls,
for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
He does not pay them for their labor.
14 He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace
with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
and paint it a lovely red.’
15 But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
That is why God blessed him.
16 He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
says the Lord.
17 “But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
You murder the innocent,
oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”
Matthew 27:25
New Living Translation
25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 27:25 Greek “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Ezekiel 22:25-28
New Living Translation
25 Your princes[a] plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. 26 Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. 27 Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! 28 And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 22:25 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads prophets.
John 11:50
New Living Translation
50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
Read full chapter
Zephaniah 3:3
New Living Translation
3 Its leaders are like roaring lions
hunting for their victims.
Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time,
who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.