What Does the Bible Say About Evil?
Here are 15 Bible verses about evil, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
BSBWoe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.
- #2Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
BSBTo fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
- #3Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
BSBDo not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- #4Psalms 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
BSBEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- #5Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
BSBDo not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- #6Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
BSBFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- #71 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
BSBDo not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- #8Genesis 50:20
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
BSBAs for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
- #9Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
BSBThere are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
- #10Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
BSBfor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- #11Psalms 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
BSBTurn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- #12Psalms 5:4
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
BSBFor You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.
- #13Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
BSBLove must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
- #141 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
BSBAbstain from every form of evil.
- #15Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
BSBAnd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).