Here are 99 Bible verses about bad leadership, curated from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, King James Version, arranged from most to least relevant.
Proverbs 29:2 KJV
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
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Jeremiah 23:1-4 KJV
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. 2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. 3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries …
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Proverbs 29:12 KJV
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
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Proverbs 16:12 KJV
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
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1 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, …
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Hebrews 13:17 KJV
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
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Acts 20:28 KJV
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
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1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
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Colossians 3:23-25 KJV
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
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Mark 10:42-45 KJV
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. …
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Ezekiel 34:1-8 KJV
1 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. …
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Proverbs 16:18 KJV
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
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2 Timothy 2:24 KJV
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
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Matthew 23:1-39 KJV
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not …
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Psalm 101:5 KJV
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
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Luke 22:26 KJV
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
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Philippians 2:3 KJV
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
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1 Timothy 3:1-2 KJV
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
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Hebrews 13:7 KJV
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
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Matthew 20:26 KJV
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
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Proverbs 4:23 KJV
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
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Galatians 6:9 KJV
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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John 3:30 KJV
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
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Exodus 18:21 KJV
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
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Psalm 78:72 KJV
72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
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2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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James 3:1 KJV
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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Proverbs 11:14 KJV
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
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Titus 1:7 KJV
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
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John 10:11 KJV
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
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Revelation 1:1 KJV
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
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Proverbs 29:4 KJV
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
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1 Timothy 3:2 KJV
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
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Romans 13:1 KJV
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
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Isaiah 3:12 KJV
12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
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Isaiah 1:23 KJV
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
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Philippians 2:4 KJV
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
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1 Peter 5:2 KJV
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
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1 Timothy 5:17 KJV
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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Proverbs 31:8-9 KJV
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Philippians 4:13 KJV
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
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Luke 6:31 KJV
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
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Proverbs 28:16 KJV
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
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Isaiah 41:10 KJV
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
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Proverbs 29:14 KJV
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
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1 Samuel 15:23 KJV
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
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1 Peter 5:7 KJV
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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Acts 5:29 KJV
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
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1 Peter 5:3 KJV
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
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Matthew 5:37 KJV
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
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James 4:10 KJV
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
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James 1:12 KJV
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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Matthew 7:12 KJV
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
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Proverbs 22:29 KJV
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
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1 Timothy 3:5 KJV
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
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Romans 8:28 KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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1 Timothy 4:2 KJV
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
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John 13:13-17 KJV
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent …
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John 3:16-17 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
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Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: …
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Acts 1:8 KJV
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
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1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
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Matthew 20:25-28 KJV
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man …
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Psalm 33:12 KJV
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
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Ephesians 4:11 KJV
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
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1 Peter 5:5 KJV
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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Titus 1:5 KJV
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
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Jeremiah 14:14-16 KJV
14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. 15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine …
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1 Peter 5:1-14 KJV
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. …
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2 Timothy 2:2 KJV
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
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Hosea 4:6 KJV
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
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Titus 3:1 KJV
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
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1 Timothy 4:8 KJV
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
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Galatians 6:6 KJV
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
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Romans 13:1-7 KJV
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou …
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Luke 1:37 KJV
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
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John 16:33 KJV
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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Isaiah 56:10-12 KJV
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; …
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Ecclesiastes 10:17 KJV
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
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1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. …
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John 1:1-51 KJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it …
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1 Samuel 8:1-22 KJV
1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, …
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Romans 14:23 KJV
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
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Ezekiel 22:8 KJV
8 Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
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Proverbs 28:15 KJV
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
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Proverbs 16:9 KJV
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
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2 Chronicles 36:11-14 KJV
11 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from …
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Deuteronomy 14:28-29 KJV
28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
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Mark 10:45 KJV
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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Matthew 25:21 KJV
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Isaiah 3:4 KJV
4 And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
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1 Timothy 3:1-7 KJV
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, …
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Isaiah 1:4 KJV
4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
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Revelation 11:1-19 KJV
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall …
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Job 41:34 KJV
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
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John 13:12-15 KJV
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have …
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Luke 22:25-28 KJV
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among …
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1 Timothy 3:1 KJV
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
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Galatians 5:19-26 KJV
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of …