Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Corruption

Updated:
March 11, 2025
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Author:
Joseph Cox

Corruption is a topic that resonates deeply with many. It's a problem that has existed for centuries and continues to affect societies worldwide.

This article brings together 50 Bible verses that address corruption. These verses offer wisdom, guidance, and reflection on how to deal with this pervasive issue.

50 Bible Verses About Corruption

10 Bible Verses on Corruption in Leadership

Proverbs 29:12
  • "If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked." — Proverbs 29:12
  • "Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them." — Isaiah 1:23
  • "Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the Lord, and say, 'Is not the Lord among us? No harm can come upon us.'" — Micah 3:11
  • "Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence." — Jeremiah 22:17
  • "Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain." — Ezekiel 22:27
  • "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?" — Psalm 82:2
  • "It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness." — Proverbs 16:12
  • "There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants." — Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
  • "But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice." — 1 Samuel 8:3
  • "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." — Matthew 23:25-28

10 Bible Verses on The Consequences of Corruption

Galatians 6:7
  • "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." — Galatians 6:7
  • "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them." — Proverbs 11:3
  • "Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same." — Job 4:8
  • "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up." — Hosea 8:7
  • "But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off." — Psalm 37:38
  • "He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live." — Proverbs 15:27
  • "Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him." — Isaiah 3:11
  • "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." — Jeremiah 17:10
  • "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." — Revelation 21:8
  • "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." — Nahum 1:3

10 Bible Verses on Corruption and Justice

Deuteronomy 16:19
  • "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." — Deuteronomy 16:19
  • "He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord." — Proverbs 17:15
  • "Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless." — Isaiah 10:1-2
  • "For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate." — Amos 5:12
  • "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8
  • "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.'" — Zechariah 7:9-10
  • "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" — Luke 18:7-8
  • "Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth." — James 5:4
  • "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." — Matthew 5:6
  • "Who 'will render to each one according to his deeds.'" — Romans 2:6

10 Bible Verses on Overcoming Corruption

2 Corinthians 5:17
  • "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." — Ephesians 4:22-24
  • "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13
  • "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." — 1 John 5:4
  • "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:21
  • "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." — 1 Peter 5:10
  • "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7
  • "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." — James 4:7
  • "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." — Colossians 3:2
  • "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." — 1 Corinthians 10:13

10 Bible Verses on Corruption in Society

Isaiah 59:14
  • "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." — Isaiah 59:14
  • "The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked does not understand such knowledge." — Proverbs 29:7
  • "They have grown fat, they are sleek; yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless; yet they prosper, and the right of the needy they do not defend." — Jeremiah 5:28
  • "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin." — Ezekiel 18:30
  • "The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net." — Micah 7:2
  • "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." — Matthew 24:12
  • "And He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.'" — Luke 16:15
  • "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful." — Romans 1:29-31
  • "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." — 1 Timothy 6:10
  • "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." — 2 Peter 2:19

What Does the Bible Say About Corruption

Corruption is a serious issue that the Bible addresses in many ways. It’s clear from the verses that God cares deeply about justice and righteousness. The Bible offers guidance on how to recognize and combat corruption in our lives and society.

One key theme is the corruption in leadership. Verses like Proverbs 29:12 and Isaiah 1:23 show that when leaders are corrupt, it affects everyone under their authority. This reminds us to hold our leaders accountable and strive for integrity in our own actions.

Another important theme is the consequences of corruption. Galatians 6:7 and Proverbs 11:3 highlight that corrupt actions lead to negative outcomes. These verses encourage us to live upright lives, knowing that our actions have consequences.

The Bible also speaks about justice and how it should be upheld. Deuteronomy 16:19 and Micah 6:8 emphasize the importance of fair treatment and standing up for what is right. These teachings inspire us to seek justice in our communities and support those who are oppressed.

Finally, overcoming corruption is a hopeful message found in the Bible. Verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Philippians 4:13 remind us that through faith and God’s strength, we can overcome evil and live righteous lives. This gives us hope and motivation to strive for a better world.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Corruption

Applying Bible teachings about corruption in daily life is crucial for personal growth and societal improvement. These verses offer practical wisdom that can guide our actions and decisions.

  • Practice Integrity: Make honesty a habit in all your dealings. Whether at work or home, always choose truth over deceit.
  • Hold Leaders Accountable: Engage in community activities and stay informed about local governance. Vote for leaders who demonstrate integrity.
  • Seek Justice: Stand up for those who are oppressed. Volunteer for organizations that fight for social justice and support fair treatment for all.
  • Pray for Guidance: Regularly pray for wisdom and strength to resist corruption. Ask God to help you make righteous choices.
  • Encourage Others: Inspire your friends and family to live upright lives. Share Bible verses and discuss their relevance in today’s world.

Remember, God is always with you, and through faith, you can overcome any challenge. Trust in His guidance and let these teachings transform your life.

For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

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