39 Bible Verses about Society, Negative Aspects Of

He cried out with a strong voice: Babylon the Great has fallen, she has fallen! She has become the habitation of demons, and a haunt for every unclean spirit. She is a prison for every unclean and hateful bird. All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (immorality). The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are very rich through the abundance of her luxury.

The entire world had one language and common words. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar (Babylon) and settled there. They said to each other: Let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly. They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.read more.
Then they said: Let us build ourselves a city, with a lofty tower that reaches into space, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth. But Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. Jehovah said: If they become one people speaking the same language, nothing will be impossible for them. They have begun to do this. Let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other. Jehovah scattered them from there over all the earth. They stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel (confusion) because Jehovah confused the language of the whole world. Jehovah scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth.

That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there as they arrived. When he saw them, he got up to greet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed low to the ground. My lords, he said, come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may get up in the morning as early as you like and be on your way again. Oh no, they said, We will spend the night out here in the city square. Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. He set a great feast before them, complete with fresh unleavened (unfermented) bread.read more.
They prepared to retire for the night when suddenly all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot: Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out so we can have sex with them! Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. Please, my brothers, he begged, do not do such a wicked thing. I have two virgin daughters. Do with them as you wish, but leave these men alone, for they are under my protection. Stand back! they shouted. Who do you think you are? We let you settle among us, and now you are trying to tell us what to do! We will treat you far worse than those other men! They pushed Lot and began breaking down the door. But the two angels reached out and pulled Lot in and bolted the door. Then they blinded the men of Sodom so they could not find the doorway. Do you have any other relatives here in the city? The angels asked. Get them out of this place, sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. We will destroy the city completely. The stench of the place has reached Jehovah. He has sent us to destroy it.

Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: Son of man will you judge? Will you judge the city of murderers (the bloodguilty)? Then tell it about all the disgusting things that it has done. Tell it: 'This is what the Lord Jehovah says: Jerusalem, you are the city that murders people who live in you. Your time has come. You dishonor yourself with disgusting idols.read more.
You are guilty because of the blood you have shed (people you have killed). You are unclean (dishonored) because of the disgusting idols you have made. You have brought an end to your days, and you have come to the end of your years. That is why I will make you a disgrace to the nations and a joke in every land. Those near and those far away will mock you. Your name will be dishonored, and you will be filled with confusion.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone the messengers who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. But you were not willing! Behold, your house is left desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in the name of Jehovah.' (Psalm 118:26)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets! You stone those sent to you. How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her own brood under her wings. But you would not have it! Behold, your house is made desolate. I tell you, you shall not see me until you say blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah. (Psalm 118:26)

Another angel followed, saying: Babylon the great has fallen. She has fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

But the Scriptures shut up (imprisoned) (pictured) all things (mankind) under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

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

The great dragon was thrown down, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was hurled down to the earth, and his angels with him.

Be careful to obey and do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses. Do not neglect any of it. You will not associate with these peoples left among you or speak the names of their gods or use those names in taking vows or worship those gods or bow down to them. Remain faithful to Jehovah, as you have been until now.

Do not make any agreement with them or with their gods. Do not allow them to live in your land for they will make you sin against me. If you serve their gods it will be a snare to you.

Honor Jehovah and serve him sincerely and in truth. Get rid of the gods that your ancestors used to worship in Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve only Jehovah. If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve Jehovah.' The people replied: We would never leave Jehovah to serve other gods!read more.
Jehovah our God brought our fathers and us out of slavery in Egypt. We saw the miracles he performed. He kept us safe wherever we went among all the nations through which we passed. As we advanced to this land, Jehovah drove out all the Amorites who lived here. We also will serve Jehovah. He is our God! Joshua said to the people: You may not be able to serve Jehovah. He is a holy God and will not forgive your sins. He will tolerate no rivals, and if you leave him to serve foreign gods, he will turn against you and punish you. He will destroy you, even though he was good to you before. The people said to Joshua: No! We will serve Jehovah! Joshua replied: You are your own witnesses to the fact that you have chosen to serve Jehovah. They said: We are witnesses! Remove the foreign gods you have. He demanded: Pledge your loyalty to Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Solomon loved many women. They were of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. Jehovah warned the children of Israel about these nations. He said: You are not to take wives from them and they are not to take wives from you. They will certainly turn your hearts to go after their gods. Solomon loved his wives anyway. He had seven hundred wives, daughters of kings, and three hundred other wives. His wives influenced his heart to turn away.read more.
When Solomon was old he allowed his heart to be turned away to other gods by his wives. His heart was no longer true to Jehovah his God as the heart of his father David had been. Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and Milcom, the disgusting god of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not walk in Jehovah's ways with all his heart as David his father did.

So Obadiah went to Ahab and gave him the news. Ahab went to see Elijah. Ahab saw Elijah. He said: Is it you, Israel's troublemaker? Then he said in answer: I have not made trouble for Israel. You and your family have. You have disobeyed Jehovah's commands and have gone after the Baals.read more.
Now gather all Israel together before me at Mount Carmel. Also gather the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal who get their food at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and assembled the prophets together at Mount Carmel. Elijah came near to all the people and said: How long will you balance (bounce back and forth) between two opinions? If Jehovah is God, then give worship to him. If Baal is, give worship to him. The people did not answer him. Then Elijah said to the people: I, even I, am the only living prophet of Jehovah but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them give us two bulls. Let them take one for themselves and have it cut up, and put it on the wood, but put no fire under it. I will get the other bull ready, and put it on the wood, and put no fire under it. You pray to your god and I will pray to Jehovah. The God who answers with fire is God! All the people answered: It is well said. Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal: Take one bull for yourselves and get it ready first, for there are so many of you; and make your prayers to your god, but do not light the fire. So they took the bull that was given them, and made it ready. They cried out to Baal from morning till the middle of the day. They said: O Baal, give ear to us. But there was no voice and no answer. They jumped up and down before the altar they had made. In the middle of the day, Elijah made sport of them, saying: Give louder cries, for he is a god; he may be deep in thought. He may have gone away for some purpose. Perhaps he is on a journey. By chance he is sleeping and must be woke up. So they gave loud cries and they cut themselves with knives and swords till the blood came streaming out all over them. They went on with their prayers from midday till the time of the offering; but there was no voice, or any answer, or any who gave attention to them. Then Elijah said to all the people: Come near to me. Then all the people came near. He repaired the altar of Jehovah that was broken down. Elijah took twelve stones, the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom Jehovah said: Israel will be your name. He used the stones to make an altar to the name of Jehovah. He dug a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on there. Then he said: Get four vessels full of water and put it on the burned offering and on the wood. Do it a second time, and they did it a second time. Then he said: Get four vessels full of water and put it on the burned offering and on the wood. Do it a second time They did it a second time. Then he said: Do it a third time and they did it a third time. The water went all round the altar until the drain was full. Then at the time of the offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be seen this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things by your order. Give me an answer, O Jehovah. Give me an answer so that this people may see that you are God. That you have made their hearts come back again. Then the fire of Jehovah came down. It burned up the offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and drinking up the water in the drain. When the people saw it, they all went down on their faces. They said: Jehovah is God! Jehovah is God! Elijah said to them: Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them get away. So they took them, and Elijah made them go down to the stream Kishon, and executed them there.

After these things were done, the captains came to me and said: The people of Israel and the priests and Levites have not kept themselves separate from the people of the lands. They have taken part in the disgusting ways of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. They have taken their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons. They have mingled the holy race with peoples around them. In fact the leaders and officials were first to do this evil.

Jehovah, you have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob, because they are filled with Eastern influences. They practice witchcraft like the Philistines, and they make deals with foreigners. Their land is full of silver and gold. There is no limit to their treasures. Their land is also full of horses. There is no limit to their chariots. Their land is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold. He set it up in the plain of Dura, the province of Babylon. It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king gathered the satraps, deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces. They came to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. The satraps, deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces were gathered together at the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. They stood before the image.read more.
Then the herald proclaimed: You are commanded to do this, O peoples, nations, and men of every language. When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes (bagpipe), and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace. When all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. Some Chaldean Astrologers brought accusation against the Jews. They said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, may you live for a very long time. You, O king, made a decree, that every man that hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. Whoever does not fall down and worship, will be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace. The Jews whom you appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego have not listened to you. They do not serve your gods. They do not worship the golden image that you set up.

Paul waited for them at Athens. His spirit was irritated within him when he saw the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons. He went to the marketplace every day with those who would meet with him. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said: What is this babbler saying? Others: He seems to be advocating strange gods because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.read more.
They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus. They said, May we know what is this new teaching? You bring strange ideas to our ears. We want to know what these things mean. The Athenians and the strangers who lived there spent their time doing nothing else except talking about and listening to new ideas. Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said: Men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious. As I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: To An Unknown God. What you worship as unknown, this I will proclaim to you.

Concerning the eating of food offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. There are those called gods in heaven or on earth. There are many gods and many lords. But to us there is but one God, the Father. All things come from him and we live for him. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ. All things were made through him and we were made through him.

For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine. Having their ears tickled, they will accumulate teachers who follow after their own lusts. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths (fiction).

My little children guard (protect) yourselves from idols.

There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

YOU ARE MY WITNESSES, DECLARES JEHOVAH! I have chosen you as my servant so that you can know and believe in me and understand that I am the one who did this. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me. I ALONE AM JEHOVAH, AND THERE IS NO SAVIOR BESIDES ME.

Jesus proclaimed: I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through me.

There is no salvation in anyone else. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them. His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse,read more.
for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error. They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate (depraved) mind, to do things that are not fitting. They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, and unmerciful. They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.

Know this also that in the last days perilous (dangerous) times will come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous (lovers of money), arrogant, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful (ungrateful), unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, despisers of those who are good,read more.
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Stay away from people like this!

After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven. He had great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. He cried out with a strong voice: Babylon the Great has fallen, she has fallen! She has become the habitation of demons, and a haunt for every unclean spirit. She is a prison for every unclean and hateful bird. All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (immorality). The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are very rich through the abundance of her luxury.

My people did not listen to my voice. Israel did not obey me. Therefore I gave them over to their stubborn hearts. They walked in their own counsel.

I wanted to treat you like children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful property among the nations. I thought you would call me Father and not turn away from me. But like a wife who is unfaithful to her husband, so you, O house of Israel, were unfaithful me, says Jehovah. A voice is heard on the bare hills. It is the crying and the pleading of the people of Israel. They are perverted and have forgotten Jehovah their God.

The Holy Spirit says: Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts and be stubborn like those who tested me in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Your forefathers examined (inspected) (scrutinized) me by proving (testing) me. And they saw my works for forty years.read more.
I was disgusted (angry) with this generation, and said: 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.' So I swore in my anger: 'They will not enter into my rest.'

I hate, I despise (reject) your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them. Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take the noise of your songs away from me! I will not listen to the melody of your harps.read more.
Justice should roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Jehovah said: I will not withdraw punishment for (three sins of Israel, even for four) the many transgressions of Israel! They sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes. They pant after the dust of the earth on the head of lowly (meek) persons. They reject the humble! A man and his father have sexual relations with the same maiden, to profane my holy name.

Jehovah said to the house of Israel: Seek me and you will live! Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity (exile), and Bethel will come to nothing. Seek Jehovah, and you will live. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it will devour, and there will be none to quench it in Bethel.read more.
You who turn justice to wormwood (a curse), and cast righteousness down to the earth seek the creator of the cluster of stars named Pleiades and the star constellation Orion. He turns the shadow of death into morning, and makes the day dark with night. He calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name! He brings sudden destruction upon the strong. Destruction comes upon the fortress. You hate the one who reproves in the gate, and abhor him who speaks the truth (with integrity). You impose unfair rent on the poor and defraud a tribute of grain from them. You haave built houses of hewn stone yet you will not live in them. You planted pleasant vineyards, but you will not drink the wine from them. I know you have many transgressions and your sins are great. You afflict the righteous. You take bribes. You refuse to help the needy at the gate. The prudent will keep silent for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good! Establish justice in the gate. It may be that Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Hear this, you who would swallow up the needy, and cause the poor of the land to fail. You say: When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit. We may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the wheat?read more.
Jehovah has sworn by the pride of Jacob: I will never forget any of their works. Will the land not tremble for this, and every one who dwells there mourn? I will rise up like the river. It will be troubled and sink again, like the River of Egypt. It will happen in that day, said the Lord Jehovah, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day. I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation (dirges). I will bring sackcloth on all loins and baldness on every head. I will make it as the mourning for an only son like the end of a bitter day.