Lexicon :: Strong's H1215 - beṣaʿ

“The kings came and fought;

Then the kings of Canaan fought

At Taanach by the waters of Megiddo.

Spoils of silver they did not obtain.

“Is it any pleasure or joy to [fn]the Almighty that you are righteous?

Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect?

“What profit is there in my blood (death), if I go down to the pit (grave)?

Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness [to man]?

Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain and envy.

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;

Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,

But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],

But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

He who walks righteously and speaks with integrity,

Who rejects gain from fraud and from oppression,

Who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes,

Who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed

And shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil;

And the dogs are greedy; they [fn]never have enough.

They are shepherds who have no understanding;

They have all turned to their own way,

Each one to his unlawful gain, without exception.

“Because of the wickedness of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him;

I hid My face and was angry,

And he went on turning away and backsliding, in the way of his [own willful] heart.

“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them,

Everyone is greedy for [unfair] gain;

And from the prophet even to the priest

Everyone deals deceitfully.

“Therefore I will give their wives to others

And their fields to new owners;

Because from the least even to the greatest

Everyone is greedy for [unjust] gain;

From the prophet even to the priest

Everyone practices deceit and deals in corruption.

“But your eyes and your heart

Are only intent on your own dishonest gain,

On shedding innocent blood,

On oppression and extortion and violence.”

[O Babylon] you who live by many waters,

Rich in treasures,

Your end has come,

And the line measuring your life is cut.

“Behold, therefore, I strike My hands [together] at your dishonest gain which you have acquired and at the bloodshed which is among you.

“Arise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion!

For I will make your horn iron

And I will make your hoofs bronze;

That you may beat many peoples in pieces [trampling down your enemies],

That you may devote to the LORD their unjust gain (pagan possessions)

And their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who obtains wicked gain for his house [and thinks by so doing]

To set his nest on high,

That he may be rescued from the hand of evil.