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What the Bible Says About Dishonesty

Overview

The Bible addresses dishonesty across 44 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Job, Leviticus and Luke. Closely related themes include Wicked, Theft and Thieves, Falsehood and Creditors.

Key Bible verses about dishonesty

Old Testament

Leviticus

Leviticus 6:2

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand

Leviticus 6:3

Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

Leviticus 6:4

Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

Leviticus 6:5

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. in the day: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Leviticus 6:6

And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:

Leviticus 6:7

And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

Leviticus 19:35

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Leviticus 19:36

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. weights: Heb. stones

Job

Job 24:2

Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. feed: or, feed them

Job 24:3

They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

Job 24:4

They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

Job 24:5

Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.

Job 24:6

They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked. corn: Heb. mingled corn, or, dredge they gather: Heb. the wicked gather the vintage

Job 24:7

They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.

Job 24:8

They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

Job 24:9

They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

Job 24:10

They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;

Job 24:11

Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 7:8

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

Jeremiah 7:9

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

Jeremiah 7:10

And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? which: Heb. whereupon my name is called

Jeremiah 9:4

Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. neighbour: or, friend

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. deceive: or, mock

Jeremiah 9:6

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

New Testament

Luke

Luke 16:1

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Luke 16:2

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Luke 16:3

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

Luke 16:4

I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Luke 16:5

So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

Luke 16:6

And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. measures: the word Batus in the original containeth nine gallons three quarts

Luke 16:7

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. measures: the word here interpreted a measure in the original containeth about fourteen bushels and two quarts

Luke 16:8

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Studying dishonesty for yourself

  • Begin with Leviticus 6:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Job, Leviticus and Luke each treat the theme.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Wicked, Theft and Thieves, Falsehood and Creditors.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about dishonesty?

The Bible addresses dishonesty across 44 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Job, Leviticus and Luke. Closely related themes include Wicked, Theft and Thieves, Falsehood and Creditors.

How many Bible verses are about dishonesty?

The Bible references dishonesty in 44 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention dishonesty?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 6:2: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand”

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on dishonesty.

Preach a series on Dishonesty