How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress. Ephraim has said, “Ah, I am rich, I have gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be sin.” (NRSV Hosea 12:7-8)
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. (KJV Hosea 12:7-8)
In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, trailblazing sociologist Max Weber describes how business success came to be seen as a sign that a person has been following God’s will. The Minor Prophets have a different point of view. In this passage, Ephraim’s just asking for it.
Quote #2
Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. (NRSV Joel 2:28-29)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (KJV Joel 2:28-29)
Disguised as an ordinary end times prophecy, this passage from Joel actually has a radical egalitarian message. Priests? Pfah. Kings? No big. The real expression of God’s justice on earth is for his spirit to speak through everyone regardless of the gender, age or status.
Quote #3
Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. (NRSV Amos 2:6)
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes. (KJV Amos 2:6)
In today’s terms, God’s mad because people are getting paid far less than they’re worth while executives are buying BMWs and Blahniks. Some commentators see this passage as referring to judges who take bribes to hand out verdicts against the poor. Others think it refers to poor debtors who are forced to sell themselves into slavery over a small debt. Regardless, it’s all a perversion of justice.