'Evil' in the Bible

For the inhabitant of Maroth (Bitterness)Writhes in pain [at its losses] and waits anxiously for good,Because a catastrophe has come down from the LordTo the gate of Jerusalem.

Woe (judgment is coming) to those who devise wickednessAnd plot evil on their beds!When morning comes, they practice evilBecause it is in the power of their hands.

Therefore, thus says the Lord,“Behold, I am planning against this family a disaster (exile)[Like a noose] from which you cannot remove your necks;Nor will you be able to walk haughtily and erect,For it will be an evil time [of subjugation to the invaders].

“You who hate good and love evil,Who tear the skin off my peopleAnd their flesh from their bones;

Then they will cry to the Lord,But He will not answer them;Instead, He will even hide His face from them at that time [withholding His mercy]Because they have practiced and tolerated and ignored evil acts.

Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe,Her priests teach for a fee,And her prophets foretell for money;Yet they lean on the Lord, saying,“Is not the Lord among us?No tragedy or distress will come on us.”

Concerning evil, both of their hands pursue it and do it diligently and thoroughly;The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,And a great man speaks the [evil] desire of his soul.So they twist the course of justice between them.