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What does the Bible say about bad luck?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible does not teach that blind luck rules our lives, but that God sovereignly governs both blessing and hardship for his wise purposes. Scripture promises that no weapon finally prevails against God's servants and that present suffering cannot compare with coming glory (Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:18). Proverbs 1:33 calls believers to dwell secure by hearing wisdom, while Proverbs 3:33 contrasts God's curse on wickedness with his blessing on the righteous. Deuteronomy 28:10-14 shows that covenant blessings flow from faithful obedience, though believers must not reduce every trial to personal punishment. Hebrews 10:35-36 urges patient faith, and Psalm 118:17 grounds hope in God's preserving mercy. Even painful opposition and unjust treatment, as in Psalms 35:15-20, remain under the Lord's care.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Hebrews 10:35-36

    [35] Therefore don't throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. [36] For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

  • 2 Kings 2:23-24

    [23] He went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth young lads out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you baldy; go up, you baldhead. [24] He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and mauled forty-two lads of them.

  • Isaiah 54:17

    No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which is of me, says Yahweh.

  • Romans 8:18

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.

  • Proverbs 3:33

    Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

  • Isaiah 45:2-3

    [2] I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; [3] and I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel.

  • Proverbs 1:33

    But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm."

  • Deuteronomy 28:10-14

    [10] All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of Yahweh; and they shall be afraid of you. [11] Yahweh will make you plenteous for good, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give you. [12] Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend to many nations, and you shall not borrow. [13] Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if you shall listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do [them], [14] and shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

  • Psalms 118:17

    I will not die, but live, And declare Yah's works.

  • Psalms 35:15-20

    [15] But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease. [16] Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed their teeth at me. [17] Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, My precious life from the lions. [18] I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. [19] Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause. [20] For they don't speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

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