Here are 112 Bible verses about bad leadership from the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible (King James Version), sorted from most to least relevant.
Proverbs 29:2 KJV
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Jeremiah 23:1-4 KJV
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 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. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Proverbs 29:12 KJV
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 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. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
1 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Proverbs 16:12 KJV
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Hebrews 13:17 KJV
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Colossians 3:23-25 KJV
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.
Acts 20:28 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
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.
Mark 10:42-45 KJV
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.
2 Timothy 2:24 KJV
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. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Psalms 101:5 KJV
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Philippians 2:3 KJV
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Matthew 20:26 KJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Hebrews 13:7 KJV
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Luke 22:26 KJV
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.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV
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.
John 3:30 KJV
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Exodus 18:21 KJV
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
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:
Psalms 78:72 KJV
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Proverbs 11:14 KJV
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
John 10:11 KJV
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Isaiah 1:23 KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Isaiah 3:12 KJV
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.
Proverbs 29:4 KJV
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.
James 3:1 KJV
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Titus 1:7 KJV
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
1 Timothy 5:17 KJV
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;
Proverbs 31:8-9 KJV
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Proverbs 28:16 KJV
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Romans 13:1 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 2:4 KJV
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.
Matthew 5:37 KJV
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
1 Samuel 15:23 KJV
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Acts 5:29 KJV
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.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Revelation 1:1 KJV
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.
1 Peter 5:3 KJV
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:
Luke 6:31 KJV
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2 KJV
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
1 Timothy 3:2 KJV
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;
Proverbs 29:14 KJV
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Acts 1:8 KJV
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Psalms 33:12 KJV
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.
Jeremiah 14:14-16 KJV
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV
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. 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 shall those prophets be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
James 1:12 KJV
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:5 KJV
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.
Proverbs 22:29 KJV
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.
Matthew 7:12 KJV
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Galatians 6:6 KJV
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.
Isaiah 56:10-12 KJV
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
James 4:10 KJV
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 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. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Ezekiel 22:8 KJV
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Matthew 20:25-28 KJV
Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
Proverbs 28:15 KJV
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. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
2 Timothy 2:2 KJV
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
2 Chronicles 36:11-14 KJV
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.
1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 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. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
Titus 1:5 KJV
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: 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; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV
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:
John 16:33 KJV
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 4:2 KJV
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.
Romans 8:28 KJV
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Matthew 25:21 KJV
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.
Hosea 4:6 KJV
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.
John 13:13-17 KJV
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.
Isaiah 3:4 KJV
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV
And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
Ecclesiastes 10:17 KJV
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Isaiah 1:4 KJV
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!
Titus 3:1 KJV
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.
1 Timothy 3:5 KJV
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Job 41:34 KJV
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Luke 1:37 KJV
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
John 3:16-17 KJV
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
John 13:12-15 KJV
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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Romans 14:23 KJV
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? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 KJV
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1 Timothy 3:1 KJV
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: 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.
Luke 22:25-28 KJV
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Peter 2:17 KJV
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 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. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Ephesians 4:11 KJV
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Matthew 10:28 KJV
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Luke 6:38 KJV
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psalms 140:12 KJV
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Deuteronomy 15:11 KJV
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Proverbs 28:27 KJV
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Proverbs 14:31 KJV
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Psalms 72:4 KJV
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Psalms 82:3-4 KJV
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
Proverbs 2:20-21 KJV
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Deuteronomy 10:18 KJV
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Proverbs 22:9 KJV
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Psalms 12:5 KJV
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalms 113:7 KJV
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Psalms 37:25 KJV
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Proverbs 22:22-23 KJV
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Proverbs 22:16 KJV
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Psalms 9:9 KJV
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalms 22:26 KJV
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Proverbs 19:17 KJV
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Psalms 35:10 KJV
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
Psalms 109:31 KJV
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Psalms 9:18 KJV
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
