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?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)