Bribery, the act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or action, is a practice that is consistently condemned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible provides clear guidance on the moral and ethical implications of bribery, emphasizing its corrupting influence and the injustice it perpetuates.

Old Testament References

1. Exodus 23:8 · "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." This verse highlights the corrupting power of bribes, which can distort justice and lead to moral blindness.

2. Deuteronomy 16:19 · "Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Here, the prohibition against bribery is linked to the broader command to uphold justice and impartiality.

3. Proverbs 17:23 · "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This proverb underscores the association between wickedness and the acceptance of bribes, which undermines justice.

4. Ecclesiastes 7:7 · "Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart." The verse warns of the transformative and corrupting effect of bribery on one's character and wisdom.

New Testament References

1. Acts 24:26 · "At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him." This account of Governor Felix illustrates the expectation and desire for bribes even among those in positions of authority, highlighting the pervasive nature of the temptation.

2. James 5:4 · While not directly mentioning bribery, this verse condemns the withholding of wages and exploitation of workers, which can be seen as a form of economic injustice akin to bribery: "Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible's consistent condemnation of bribery is rooted in its commitment to justice, righteousness, and the protection of the vulnerable. Bribery is seen as a tool of the wicked, used to pervert justice and exploit the innocent. It is an affront to God's character, which is inherently just and impartial.

Consequences of Bribery

Scripture warns of the consequences of engaging in bribery, both for individuals and society. It leads to the erosion of trust, the breakdown of justice, and the perpetuation of inequality. Those who engage in bribery are often depicted as lacking wisdom and integrity, ultimately facing divine judgment.

Call to Righteousness

Believers are called to uphold justice and reject all forms of corruption, including bribery. The biblical mandate is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8), ensuring that one's actions reflect the righteousness and holiness of the Lord.Exodus 23:8
And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
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Deuteronomy 16:18,19
Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
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Deuteronomy 27:25
Cursed be he that takes reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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1 Samuel 8:1,3
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
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Job 15:34
For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
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Psalm 26:9,10
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
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Proverbs 15:27
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
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Proverbs 17:8,23
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: wherever it turns, it prospers.
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Proverbs 18:16
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
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Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
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Proverbs 25:14
Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
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Proverbs 28:21
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
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Proverbs 29:4
The king by judgment establishes the land: but he that receives gifts overthrows it.
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Ecclesiastes 7:7
Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart.
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Isaiah 1:23
Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
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Isaiah 5:22,23
Woe to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
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Isaiah 33:15,16
He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil;
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Ezekiel 13:19
And will you pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
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Ezekiel 22:12,13
In you have they taken gifts to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, said the Lord GOD.
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Amos 2:6
Thus said 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;
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Amos 5:12
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
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Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
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The Life of Christ.
... the attendance of vast assemblages by giving general notice that ... infamy by the base
arts of bribery and falsehood. ... unto them in all the Scriptures the things ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

The First Kings.
... They were mercenary and open to bribery, and it is ... He was obeyed by that unscrupulous
general; and when ... The Scriptures describe David as "a man after God's own ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... the only presumption against him was the general clamour of ... who had procured an office
by bribery, should not ... the Jewish religion, and of the Scriptures of the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

The Church of the Middle Ages
... AD1492-AD1503), who was elected by bribery, and whose ... the place of printing, and
were in general the props ... as since, the whole body of the Scriptures by sundry ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter x the church of.htm

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
... to meditate, pray, and read the Scriptures, with Mr ... 1. For our general business,
Serving the Lord with all ... 6. Extirpate bribery, receiving any thing directly or ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... yet his salvation is desired; the sharp writing concerning him is ... also to give him
a tractate for general use. ... a trust in man which the Scriptures condemn; the ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

Thoughts Upon the Imitation of Christ.
... yea those very Persons whom the Scriptures record, and God ... or mistake in his Judgment,
no bribery or corruption ... endeavour to mind the Reader in general of such ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the imitation of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... overreaching artifices, breaches of trust, bribery, oppression of ... This signifies,
in general, that God's care ... must strike every reader of the holy Scriptures. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... When the comparative study of the Scriptures was first ... outline will give at least
a general notion of ... a crime; 3, 4, False witness and bribery; 5, Alteration ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... to leave thee, I shall leave with thee two Scriptures to be ... a truth there was in
that parable concerning the Jews ... 1 Timothy 6:9). Thus much in general; but now ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

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