Bribery is a corrupt behavior that erodes the foundation of moral society, perverts the truth, and undermines justice. Bribery is repeatedly denounced in the Bible as a sin that impairs judgment and warps righteousness. Bribes, whether in the form of cash, presents, or favors, frequently divert individuals from what is right and moral. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God is a just and impartial God, and that He demands the same honesty from His people. Examining Bible verses about bribery demonstrates how highly God regards justice and integrity in all facets of life.
Bribery has been used to influence results, quiet the innocent, and reward the wicked since ancient times. These injustices are directly addressed in the Bible, particularly in relation to leadership, politics, and the law. Bribes damage entire communities by encouraging corruption and greed in addition to harming individuals. Justice should never be bought or sold, according to God’s Word, and anyone who engages in bribery is disobeying God’s moral law. These bible verses about bribing are a cautionary tale and an exhortation to live a life of honesty and responsibility.
Bribery is regarded as a grave transgression that results in destruction in both the Old and New Testaments. Numerous people fell prey to this temptation, including religious leaders, judges, and others. The Bible verses about bribing demonstrates how bribery distorts reality and benefits the strong at the expense of the weak. God wants His people to avoid the allure of unfair riches and walk in integrity. Believers are urged by these verses to maintain their integrity even in situations where bribery appears to be a short cut to power or safety.
Although bribery is widespread in the world, God’s people cannot tolerate it. The Bible verses about bribing exhorts believers to abstain from every corruption and to put their faith in God’s supply rather than taking advantage of circumstances. Christians are expected to behave in a way that reflects God’s justice, whether they are in positions of authority, leadership, or business. In addition to correction, these Bible verses on bribery provide insight and direction for upholding moral integrity in a society when compromise is commonplace.
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Bribing in 2025
1. Exodus 23:8
“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.”
Bribery is clearly condemned here as a force that corrupts justice. It not only blinds the judgment of those in power but also distorts the truth, allowing the guilty to prosper and the innocent to suffer. God commands His people to uphold truth and righteousness, not allow it to be bought.
2. Deuteronomy 16:19
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”
Even the wise can be swayed by bribes. This verse repeats the danger of bribery corrupting good judgment. It shows how bribery compromises fairness and is a direct violation of God’s command to act with justice and impartiality.
3. Proverbs 17:23
“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.”
Bribery is linked directly with wickedness and secrecy. It undermines legal and moral systems by allowing hidden agendas to determine outcomes. God despises this kind of corruption.
4. Isaiah 1:23
“Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”
Isaiah rebukes leaders who accept bribes at the cost of justice. When leaders are motivated by gifts instead of truth, the most vulnerable—like orphans and widows—are neglected and harmed.
5. Proverbs 15:27
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
Greed and bribery go hand-in-hand. Accepting bribes may offer short-term gain, but it brings long-term destruction. True life and peace come from rejecting dishonest gain.
6. Micah 3:11
“Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support…”
Micah exposes the hypocrisy of religious and political leaders who exploit their positions for profit. Bribery here is not only corrupt, but a mockery of God’s name.
7. Ecclesiastes 7:7
“Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”
Even a wise person’s moral compass can be destroyed through bribery. It doesn’t just affect actions—it hardens and poisons the heart, leading to a total spiritual collapse.
8. Isaiah 5:23
“Who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.”
This verse denounces those who reverse justice for money—setting the guilty free and punishing the innocent. God is deeply angered by such injustice, which mocks His holiness.
9. Amos 5:12
“For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.”
Bribery is connected to social injustice and the oppression of the weak. Amos declares that God is fully aware of these sins and will hold the guilty accountable.
10. Deuteronomy 27:25
“Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person. Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”
This verse includes bribery in a list of serious offenses that bring curses. Bribery that leads to violence or death is especially abhorrent to God and invites divine judgment.
11. Psalm 26:10
“In whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.”
The psalmist distances himself from those whose hands are used for evil, especially those taking bribes. Clean hands and a pure heart are what God seeks—not greed-driven compromise.
12. 1 Samuel 8:3
“But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.”
Samuel’s sons were disqualified from leadership because they accepted bribes. This verse shows how corruption discredits even those raised in godly households if they fail to guard their hearts.
13. Proverbs 29:4
“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
Justice builds nations; bribery destroys them. Leaders who are swayed by bribes destabilize society and undermine public trust in institutions.
14. Job 15:34
“For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.”
Bribery is associated with barrenness and destruction. The love of dishonest gain ultimately leads to spiritual and often physical ruin.
15. Ezekiel 22:12
“In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
God directly confronts a nation that uses bribes for murder and exploitation. Forgetting God often goes hand-in-hand with embracing bribery and injustice.
16. Zephaniah 3:3-4
“Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves… Her prophets are unprincipled; her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.”
The leaders were driven by greed and violence, taking bribes and violating God’s law. This verse paints a picture of total corruption when leadership is ruled by selfishness.
17. Matthew 28:12-15
“When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came during the night…”‘”
Religious leaders used bribery to cover up the resurrection. This shows how bribes are used to manipulate truth and suppress testimony, especially in spiritual contexts.
18. Proverbs 21:14
“A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.”
This verse observes the reality of how bribes can influence people—but it’s descriptive, not prescriptive. It shows the dangerous power of bribery to influence judgment outside of justice.
19. Psalm 15:5
“Whoever does these things will never be shaken: …who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.”
Integrity is part of the foundation of a godly life. Those who refuse bribes, especially against the innocent, are upheld and honored by God.
20. Daniel 11:32
“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Although this verse speaks about flattery, it reflects the same idea as bribery: corrupting others through manipulation. True believers are those who resist such influence, holding to God’s truth.
21. Hosea 4:18
“Their rulers dearly love shameful ways.”
Though brief, this statement captures the essence of corrupt leaders. Those who love bribes inevitably love shame and will lead people into moral decay.
22. Leviticus 19:15
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
This command prohibits not only bribes but all forms of favoritism. True justice, in God’s eyes, is impartial and cannot be bought or influenced by wealth or status.
23. Exodus 18:21
“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain…”
Moses was instructed to appoint leaders who hate dishonest gain. Bribery disqualifies someone from godly leadership and reveals a heart not rooted in the fear of God.
24. 1 Kings 15:19
“Let there be a treaty between me and you… See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold…”
While not directly labeled a bribe, this act illustrates how political gifts can serve as bribes when intended to buy favor. Even among kings, such gifts are used to manipulate alliances and outcomes.
25. Nehemiah 6:12-13
“I realized that God had not sent him… He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing this…”
Nehemiah recognized bribery behind false prophecy. Bribes are often used to manipulate spiritual leaders, but discernment and integrity reveal their true source.
26. 1 Kings 21:8-10
“So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name… proclaiming a fast and seating Naboth in a prominent place… and then have two scoundrels bring charges…”
Jezebel’s wicked scheme to kill Naboth involved manipulation, false witnesses, and likely bribery. The story illustrates how bribery can lead to grave injustice and murder.
27. Luke 16:10-11
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much… if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
Faithfulness in small financial matters, including resisting bribes, proves readiness for greater responsibility. God honors those who are trustworthy with money.
28. Isaiah 33:15
“He who walks righteously and speaks what is right… who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hands from accepting bribes…”
God honors those who actively refuse bribes. Such individuals will dwell with Him, indicating their righteousness and spiritual standing before God.
29. Acts 24:26
“At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe…”
Governor Felix delayed Paul’s case, hoping for a bribe. This verse highlights how even justice can be obstructed when those in power are corrupt and greedy.
30. Proverbs 10:2
“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Bribes may bring temporary gain, but they offer no eternal benefit. Only righteousness—living according to God’s standards—brings true and lasting reward.
Conclusion
Bribery is a clear transgression of God’s justice and truth, not merely a moral failing. Bribery is constantly denounced in the Bible as a behavior that taints judgment, silences the innocent, and gives the guilty more authority. Scripture shows that bribes skew the righteousness that God seeks in both people and nations, as seen by the laws given to Moses and the teachings of the prophets and apostles. Bribery is more than just a cash transaction; it is a violation of the confidence that people have in judges, leaders, and regular citizens as well as a compromise of integrity.
God calls His people to lead lives characterized by courage, justice, and honesty. Bribery plays on feelings of greed and self-interest, but Christians are expected to behave uprightly and reject these temptations. We are to emulate Christ’s fairness and purity in our leadership, business, ministry, and interpersonal interactions. God rewards people who refuse to accept or offer bribes, and He assures those who uphold morality even when it is difficult or expensive that they will be blessed. Greater spiritual blessings and trust are frequently built on integrity in the little things.
It becomes evident when we consider these verses that opposing bribery is about respecting God and appreciating individuals, not merely about abiding by the law. Believers can be lights in a dark world by choosing integrity over corruption, demonstrating that truth cannot be silenced and justice cannot be purchased. May we be individuals who steadfastly oppose bribery and all types of unfairness, walking obediently in the Lord’s fear and maintaining morality in all facets of life.
