What Does the Bible Say About Bad Government?

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 59 helpful votes

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Isaiah 10:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 28:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Isaiah 1:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.

Romans 13:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

1 John 5:19 ESV / 21 helpful votes

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

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 21 helpful votes

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Proverbs 14:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Genesis 9:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

Proverbs 29:4-10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices. A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. ...

Romans 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Romans 13:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

Ezekiel 22:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.

Psalm 109:8-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

May his days be few; may another take his office! May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow!

16 Bible Verses about Bad Government

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Isaiah 10:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Proverbs 28:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Romans 13:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes

1 John 5:19 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Proverbs 14:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Romans 8:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Genesis 9:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Proverbs 29:4-10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Romans 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Romans 13:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Ezekiel 22:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Psalm 109:8-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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16 Bible Verses about Bad Government

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 59 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 10:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 28:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:19 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 14:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 9:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:4-10 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 22:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 109:8-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Isaiah 10:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Proverbs 28:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Romans 13:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes

1 John 5:19 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Proverbs 14:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Romans 8:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Genesis 9:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Proverbs 29:4-10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Romans 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Romans 13:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Ezekiel 22:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Psalm 109:8-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes