Proverbs 21:6
Dishonest gain produces temporary success but ultimately leads toward destruction.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Dishonest gain produces temporary success but ultimately leads toward destruction.
To warn that wealth obtained through deception is unstable and ultimately destructive.
Proverbs 21:6 follows verse 5, which contrasted diligent planning with hasty action. Now the focus shifts to another false shortcut, dishonesty. The connection is clear. Where diligence leads to steady provision, deceit attempts to bypass the process. The progression highlights different forms of folly, impulsiveness and dishonesty, both of which lead to loss.
In ancient Israel, trade and commerce required trust and honest communication. Deceptive practices could undermine relationships and economic stability. Wisdom literature frequently addressed issues of honesty and integrity in speech.
The LORD Weighs the Heart: Justice, Righteousness, Pride, Diligence, and the Limits of Human Strength
Wisdom submits every heart, plan, act of worship, word, pursuit, and battle to the LORD, who weighs motives, loves righteousness and justice, and grants the final victory.