Proverbs 15:25

15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, ¹ 

but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. ² 

Isaiah 59:7

59:7 They are eager to do evil, ³ 

quick to shed innocent blood. ⁴ 

Their thoughts are sinful;

they crush and destroy. ⁵ 

Ezekiel 38:10

38:10 “‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, ⁶  and you will devise an evil plan.

Matthew 9:4

9:4 When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?

James 2:4

2:4 If so, have you not made distinctions ⁷  among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? ⁸ 

¹ sn The “proud” have to be understood here in contrast to the widow, and their “house” has to be interpreted in contrast to the widow’s territory. The implication may be that the “proud” make their gain from the needy, and so God will set the balance right.

² sn The Lord administers justice in his time. The Lord champions the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the needy. These people were often the prey of the proud, who would take and devour their houses and lands (e.g., 1 Kgs 21; Prov 16:19; Isa 5:8-10).

³ tn Heb “their feet run to evil.”

⁴ tn Heb “they quickly pour out innocent blood.”

⁵ tn Heb “their thoughts are thoughts of sin, destruction and crushing [are] in their roadways.”

⁶ tn Heb “words will go up upon your heart.”

⁷ tn Grk “have you not made distinctions” (as the conclusion to the series of “if” clauses in vv. 2-3).

⁸ tn Grk “judges of evil reasonings.”