People always ask, “What do you mean by a ‘bribe’ or ‘extortion.’” Those who ask this question may not be asking to know, but to justify their intention or action. Whichever way you see it, please read the Bible and hear from God. God’s commandment states that we should not take bribes or deny justice to a poor man. He stated the reason for this. “And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clearsighted and subverts the cause of the just” (Exodus 23:8). King David knew God would destroy bribe-takers, and hence, he prayed, “Do not take my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed, in whose hands is a wicked scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes” (Psalm 26:9-10). The Bible says that those who take bribes are wicked. Why are they wicked? They pervert the ways of justice (Proverbs 17:23). Would you like to be addressed as a wicked man or woman? If your friend calls you wicked, you will not be happy with him because the Bible says that wicked people will be destroyed, and you would not like to be destroyed. Perhaps you are good, righteous in other aspects of life or religion. Will you take bribes to ruin you? The Bible calls those who take bribes “rebels” and “companions of thieves.” “Your rulers are rebels, and companions of thieves; every one loves a bribe and chases after rewards” (Isaiah 1:23). Some people believe that