Ecclesiastes 7:7

New American Bible - revised edition

Extortion can make a fool out of the wise, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Cross References

Exodus 23:8

Never take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and distorts the words of the just.

Proverbs 17:23

A guilty person takes out a bribe from the pocket, thus perverting the course of justice.

Proverbs 17:8

A bribe seems a charm to its user; at every turn it brings success.

Ecclesiastes 4:1

Again I saw all the oppressions that take place under the sun: the tears of the victims with none to comfort them! From the hand of their oppressors comes violence, and there is none to comfort them!

Ecclesiastes 5:8

But profitable for a land in such circumstances is a king concerned about cultivation.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

All these things I saw and I applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun, while one person tyrannizes over another for harm. The Problem of Retribution.

Isaiah 1:23

Your princes are rebels and comrades of thieves; Each one of them loves a bribe and looks for gifts. The fatherless they do not defend, the widow’s plea does not reach them.

Isaiah 33:15

Whoever walks righteously and speaks honestly, who spurns what is gained by oppression, Who waves off contact with a bribe, who stops his ears so as not to hear of bloodshed, who closes his eyes so as not to look on evil—

Deuteronomy 16:19

You must not distort justice: you shall not show partiality; you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes even of the wise and twists the words even of the just.

Deuteronomy 28:65

Among these nations you will find no rest, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot, for there the Lord will give you an anguished heart and wearied eyes and a trembling spirit.

1 Samuel 12:3

Here I stand! Answer me in the presence of the Lord and the Lord’s anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I wronged? From whom have I accepted a bribe and shut my eyes because of it? I will make restitution to you.”

1 Samuel 21:14

So, he feigned insanity in front of them and acted like a madman in their custody, drumming on the doors of the gate and drooling onto his beard.

1 Samuel 8:3

His sons did not follow his example, but looked to their own gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.