Ecclesiastes 7:7

New International Reader's Version

When a wise person takes wealth by force, they become foolish. It is sinful to take money from people who want special favors.

Cross References

Exodus 23:8

“Do not take money from people who want special favors. It makes you blind to the truth. It twists the words of good people.

Proverbs 17:23

Anyone who does wrong accepts favors in secret. Then they turn what is right into what is wrong.

Proverbs 17:8

Those who give money think it will buy them favors. They think that no matter where they turn, they will succeed.

Ecclesiastes 4:1

I looked and saw how much people were suffering on this earth. I saw the tears of those who are suffering. They don’t have anyone to comfort them. Power is on the side of those who treat them badly. Those who are suffering don’t have anyone to comfort them.

Ecclesiastes 5:8

Suppose you see poor people being mistreated somewhere. And what is being done to them isn’t right or fair. Don’t be surprised by that. One official is watched by a higher one. Officials who are even higher are watching both of them.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

I understood all these things. I used my mind to study everything that’s done on earth. A man sometimes makes life hard for others. But he ends up hurting himself.

Isaiah 1:23

Your rulers refuse to obey the Lord. They join forces with robbers. All of them love to accept money from those who want special favors. They are always looking for gifts from other people. They don’t stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. They don’t do it for widows either.

Isaiah 33:15

People must do what is right. They must be honest and tell the truth. They must not get rich by cheating others. Their hands must not receive money from those who want special favors. They must not let their ears listen to plans to commit murder. They must close their eyes to even thinking about doing what is evil.

Deuteronomy 16:19

Do what is right. Treat everyone the same. Don’t take money from people who want special favors. It makes those who are wise close their eyes to the truth. It twists the words of those who have done nothing wrong.

Deuteronomy 28:65

Among those nations you won’t find any peace. There won’t be any place where you can make your home and rest your feet. The Lord will give you minds filled with worry. He’ll give you eyes worn out from looking for help. You won’t have any hope in your hearts.

1 Samuel 12:3

Here I stand. Bring charges against me if you can. The Lord is a witness. And so is his anointed king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I cheated anyone? Have I treated anyone badly? Have I accepted money from anyone who wanted special favors? If I’ve done any of these things, I’ll make it right.”

1 Samuel 21:14

Achish said to his servants, “Just look at the man! He’s out of his mind! Why are you bringing him to me?

1 Samuel 8:3

But his sons didn’t live as he did. They were only interested in making money. They accepted money from people who wanted special favors. They made things that were wrong appear to be right.