Robbery always claims the life of the robber---this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.

Anyone who is determined to do right will live, but anyone who insists on doing wrong will die.

Those who bring trouble on their families will have nothing at the end. Foolish people will always be servants to the wise.

The more easily you get your wealth, the less good it will do you.

Do not bring any of these idols into your homes, or the same curse will be on you that is on them. You must hate and despise these idols, because they are under the LORD's curse.

But you are not to take anything that is to be destroyed; if you do, you will bring trouble and destruction on the Israelite camp.

Israel has sinned! They have broken the agreement with me that I ordered them to keep. They have taken some of the things condemned to destruction. They stole them, lied about it, and put them with their own things.

This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They retreat from them because they themselves have now been condemned to destruction! I will not stay with you any longer unless you destroy the things you were ordered not to take!

Joshua, along with all the people of Israel, seized Achan, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, together with Achan's sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned; and they took them to Trouble Valley.

And Joshua said, "Why have you brought such trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you!" All the people then stoned Achan to death; they also stoned and burned his family and possessions.

But they did not follow their father's example; they were interested only in making money, so they accepted bribes and did not decide cases honestly.

and said to him, "Look, you are getting old and your sons don't follow your example. So then, appoint a king to rule over us, so that we will have a king, as other countries have."

And now Naaman's disease will come upon you, and you and your descendants will have it forever!" When Gehazi left, he had the disease---his skin was as white as snow.

You are doomed! You buy more houses and fields to add to those you already have. Soon there will be no place for anyone else to live, and you alone will live in the land.

The grapevines growing on five acres of land will yield only five gallons of wine. Ten bushels of seed will produce only one bushel of grain."

The person who gets money dishonestly is like a bird that hatches eggs it didn't lay. In the prime of life he will lose his riches, and in the end he is nothing but a fool.

You are doomed! You have made your family rich with what you took by violence, and have tried to make your own home safe from harm and danger!

Even the stones of the walls cry out against you, and the rafters echo the cry.

Then he said to me, "On it is written the curse that is to go out over the whole land. On one side of the scroll it says that every thief will be removed from the land; and on the other side it says that everyone who tells lies under oath will also be taken away.

The LORD Almighty says that he will send this curse out, and it will enter the house of every thief and the house of everyone who tells lies under oath. It will remain in their houses and leave them in ruins."

A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.

When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.

But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.

You can survive if you say and do what is right. Don't use your power to cheat the poor and don't accept bribes. Don't join with those who plan to commit murder or to do other evil things.

Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.