What does the Bible say about evil and wicked people?

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

• Proverbs 6:12-16 7 votes

  [12] A worthless person, a man of iniquity, Is he who walks with a perverse mouth; [13] Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who motions with his fingers; [14] In whose heart is perverseness, Who devises evil continually, Who always sows discord. [15] Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. [16] There are six things which Yahweh hates; Yes, seven which are an abomination to him:

• Ecclesiastes 12:14 4 votes

  For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

• Proverbs 28:1-28 4 votes

  [1] The wicked flee when no one pursues; But the righteous are as bold as a lion. [2] In rebellion, a land has many rulers, But order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge. [3] A needy man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. [4] Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; But those who keep the law contend with them. [5] Evil men don't understand justice; But those who seek Yahweh understand it fully. [6] Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. [7] Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; But he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. [8] He who increases his wealth by excessive interest Gathers it for one who has pity on the poor. [9] He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. [10] Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He will fall into his own trap; But the blameless will inherit good. [11] The rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor who has understanding sees through him. [12] When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. [13] He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, But whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. [14] Blessed is the man who always fears; But one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. [15] As a roaring lion or a charging bear, So is a wicked ruler over helpless people. [16] A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days. [17] A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; No one will support him. [18] Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; But one with perverse ways will fall suddenly. [19] One who works his land will have an abundance of food; But one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. [20] A faithful man is rich with blessings; But one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished. [21] To show partiality is not good; Yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. [22] A stingy man hurries after riches, And doesn't know that poverty waits for him. [23] One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than one who flatters with the tongue. [24] Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer. [25] One who is greedy stirs up strife; But one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper. [26] One who trusts in himself is a fool; But one who walks in wisdom, he is kept safe. [27] One who gives to the poor has no lack; But one who closes his eyes will have many curses. [28] When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous thrive.

• Psalms 37:1-40 3 votes

  [1] > Don't fret because of evil-doers, Neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither like the green herb. [3] Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteousness go forth as the light, And your justice as the noon day sun. [7] Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who makes wicked plots happen. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off, But those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land. [10] For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there. [11] But the humble shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [12] The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. [13] The Lord will laugh at him, For he sees that his day is coming. [14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To kill those who are upright in the way. [15] Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken. [16] Better is a little that the righteous has, Than the abundance of many wicked. [17] For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But Yahweh upholds the righteous. [18] Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. [19] They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied. [20] But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish-- Vanish like smoke. [21] The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, But the righteous give generously. [22] For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off. [23] A man's goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. [24] Though he stumble, he shall not fall, For Yahweh holds him up with his hand. [25] I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his children begging for bread. [26] All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed. [27] Depart from evil, and do good; Live securely forever. [28] For Yahweh loves justice, And doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, But the children of the wicked shall be cut off. [29] The righteous shall inherit the land, And live in it forever. [30] The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. [31] The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide. [32] The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to kill him. [33] Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged. [34] Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, And he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. [35] I have seen the wicked in great power, Spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. [36] But he passed away, and, behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found. [37] Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, For there is a future for the man of peace. [38] As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off. [39] But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. [40] Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.

• Psalms 5:4 3 votes

  For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can't live with you.

• Psalms 34:21 3 votes

  Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

• James 1:13 3 votes

  Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

• Micah 2:1 2 votes

  Woe to those who devise iniquity And work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.

• Romans 6:23 2 votes

  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• 1 John 5:19 2 votes

  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

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