Ecclesiastes 7:7

God's Word

Oppression can turn a wise person into a fool, and a bribe can corrupt the mind.

Cross References

Exodus 23:8

Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.

Proverbs 17:8

A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Ecclesiastes 4:1

Next, I turned to look at all the acts of oppression that make people suffer under the sun. Look at the tears of those who suffer! No one can comfort them. Their oppressors have ⌞all⌟ the power. No one can comfort those who suffer.

Ecclesiastes 5:8

Don’t be surprised if you see poor people being oppressed, denied justice, or denied their rights in any district. One authority is watching over another, and they both have authorities watching over them.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

I have seen all of this, and I have carefully considered all that is done under the sun whenever one person has authority to hurt others.

Isaiah 1:23

Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don’t notice the widows’ pleas.

Isaiah 33:15

The person who does what is right and speaks the truth will live. He rejects getting rich by extortion and refuses to take bribes. He refuses to listen to those who are plotting murders. He doesn’t look for evil things to do.

Deuteronomy 16:19

Never pervert justice. Instead, be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right.

Deuteronomy 28:65

Among those nations you will find no peace, no place to call your own. There the Lord will give you an unsettled mind, failing eyesight, and despair.

1 Samuel 12:3

Here I am. Testify against me in front of the Lord and in front of his anointed king. Did I take anyone’s ox? Did I take anyone’s donkey? Did I cheat or oppress anyone? Did I take a bribe from anyone to look the other way? ⌞If so,⌟ I will give it all back.”

1 Samuel 21:14

Achish said to his officers, “Look at him! Don’t you see ⌞that he’s⌟ insane? Why bring him to me?

1 Samuel 8:3

The sons didn’t follow their father’s example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.