55 Bible Verses about Government

Foolishness sticketh in the heart of the lad; but the rod of correction driveth it away.

Chasten thy son while there is hope; but let not thy soul be moved to slay him.

Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die thereof.

He that spareth the rod, hateth his son; but whoso loveth him, chastiseth him betimes.

With true judgment the king setteth up the land; but if he be a man that taketh gifts, he turneth it upside down.

The increase and prosperity of the commons is the king's honour; but the decay of the people is the confusion of the prince.

O Lemuel, give kings no wine, give kings and princes no strong drink; Lest they being drunken forget the law, and regard not the cause of the poor, and of all such as be in adversity. Give strong drink unto such as are condemned to death, and wine unto those that mourn: read more.
that they may drink it, and forget their misery and adversity.

The God of Israel spake unto me, and the strength of Israel said, 'He that beareth rule over men, he that ruleth justly in the fear of God,

For thou, O LORD, hast heard my desires, and hast given a heritage unto those that fear thy name. Thou shalt grant the king a long life; that his years may endure throughout all generations, that he may dwell before God for ever. O prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.

And because thou settest up thy bristles against me, and that thy raging is come up to mine ears: therefore I will put a ring in thy nose and a bit in thy lips, and will bring thee back again the same way thou camest.

and will turn thee about, and put a bit in thy jaws. I will bring thee forth and all thine host, both horse and horsemen, which be all weaponed of the best fashion; a great people, that handle all together spears, shields, and swords:

I destroy the tokens of witches, and make the Soothsayers go wrong. As for the wise, I turn them backward, and make their cunning foolishness.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like as are the rivers of water; he may turn it whithersoever he will.

He leadeth away the priests into captivity, and turneth the mighty upside down.

"And unto the messenger of the congregation which is in Laodicea write, 'This saith - amen - the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creatures of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou were cold or hot. So then, because thou art between both, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth: read more.
because thou sayest thou art rich and increased with goods, and hast need of nothing, and knowest not how thou art wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, that thy filthy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be fervent therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my seat, even as I overcame and have sitten with my father, in his seat.

Herefore I suffer all things, for the elects' sakes, that they might also obtain that salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. It is a true saying: If we be dead with him, we also shall live with him; If we be patient, we shall also reign with him; If we deny him, he also shall deny us;

"My heart was vexed, and I, Daniel, had a troubled spirit within me, and the visions of my head made me afraid: till I gat me to one of them that stood by, to know the truth, concerning all these things. So he told me, and made me understand the interpretation of these things. 'These four great beasts, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth. read more.
But the high saints shall receive a kingdom, and possess a kingdom, forever: even for ever and ever.' After this, I required diligently to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was so far unlike the other beasts, and so horrible: whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass: which devoured and destroyed, and stamped the residue under his feet. I desired also to know the truth, as touching the ten horns that he had upon his head, and this other which came up afterward, before whose face there fell down three: which horn had eyes and a mouth that spake presumptuous things, and looked with a grimmer visage than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made battle against the saints - yea, and gat the victory of them - till the time that the Ancient of Days came, that the judgment was given to the chiefest saints; and till the time that the saints had the kingdom in possession. He gave me this answer, 'That fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth: it shall be more than all other kingdoms, it shall devour, tread down, and destroy all other lands. The ten horns, are ten kings that shall arise out of that kingdom, after whom there shall stand up another, which shall be greater than the first. He shall subdue three kings, and shall speak words against the highest of all: he shall destroy the saints of the most highest, and think that he may change times and laws. They shall be given under his power, until a time, two times, and a half a time. But the judgment shall be kept, so that his power shall be taken from him: for he shall be destroyed, and perish at the last. As for the kingdom, power, and all might that is under the heaven: it shall be given to the holy people of the most highest, whose kingdom is everlasting. Yea, all powers shall serve and obey him.'

And the son of man goeth as it is appointed: But woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed." And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it should be, that should do that. And there was a strife among them, which of them should be taken for the greatest. read more.
And he said unto them, "The kings of the gentiles reign over them; And they that bear rule over them, are called gracious Lords. But ye shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you, shall be as the youngest: And he that is chief, shall be as the minister. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat: or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? And I am among you, as he that ministereth. Ye are they which have bidden with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my father hath appointed to me: that ye may eat, and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."

"And unto the messenger of the congregation of Thyatira write, 'This saith the son of God, which hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, whose feet are like brass: I know thy works and thy love, service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy deeds, which are more at the last than at the first. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess to teach and to deceive my servants, to make them commit fornication, and to eat meats offered up unto idols. read more.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her into great adversity, except they turn from their deeds. And I will kill her children with death. And all the congregations shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts. And I will give unto everyone of you according to your works. Unto you I say, and unto others of them of Thyatira, as many as have not this learning, and which have not known the deepness of Satan, as they say; I will put upon you none other burden, but that which you have already. Hold fast till I come, and whosoever overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall he break them to shivers. Even as I received of my father. And so will I give him the morning star.

Whosoever maketh like that, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall perish from among his people.'"

They answered, and said unto him, "Thou art altogether born in sin: and dost thou teach us?" And they cast him out.

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread, so that even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses. For whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be plucked out from Israel.

If any soul eat of the flesh of the peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, and his uncleanness yet upon him, the same soul shall perish from among his people.

and bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of witness to offer unto the LORD, that fellow shall perish from among his people.

Then said the LORD thus unto me, "May not I do with you, as this Potter doth, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD? Behold, ye house of Israel: ye are in my hand, even as the clay in the Potter's hand. When I take in hand to root out, to destroy, or to waste away any people or kingdom; read more.
if that people against whom I have thus devised convert from their wickedness: Immediately, I repent of the plague, that I devised to bring upon them. Again. When I take in hand, to build, or to plant a people or a kingdom: if the same people do evil before me, and hear not my voice: Immediately, I repent of the good, that I devised to do for them.

This errand of the watcher, is a commandment grounded and sought out, in the counsel of him that is most holy: to learn men for to understand, that the highest hath power over the kingdoms of men; and giveth them to whom it liketh him, and bringeth the very outcasts of men over them.'

What is he, but he knoweth that the hand of the LORD made all these? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all men. Have not the ears pleasure in hearing, and the mouth in tasting the thing that it eateth? read more.
"Among old persons there is wisdom, and among the aged is understanding. Yea, with God is wisdom and strength - it is he that hath counsel and foreknowledge. If he break down a thing, who can set it up again? If he shut a thing, who will open it? Behold, if he withhold the waters, they dry up; If he let them go, they destroy the earth. With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver and him that is deceived. He carrieth away the wise men, as it were a spoil, and bringeth the judges out of their wits. He taketh away the subjection of the people from their kings, and girdeth their loins with a bond. He leadeth away the priests into captivity, and turneth the mighty upside down. He taketh the verity from out of the mouth, and disappointeth the aged of their wisdom. He poureth out confusion upon princes, and comforteth them that have been oppressed. "Look: what lieth hid in darkness, he declareth it openly! And the very shadow of death bringeth he to light! He both increaseth the people and destroyeth them; He maketh them to multiply, and driveth them away.

That he sitteth upon the Circle of the world, and that all the inhabiters of the world are, in comparison of him, but as grasshoppers; That he spreadeth out the heavens as a covering, he stretcheth them out as a tent to dwell in; That he bringeth princes to nothing, and the judges of the earth to dust;

and bid them say unto their masters, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel, speak thus unto your masters: I am he that made the earth, the men, and the cattle that are upon the ground, with my great power and outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it pleased me. And now will I deliver all these lands into the power of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant. The beasts also of the field shall I give him to do him service. read more.
And all people shall serve him, and his son, and his child's children, until the time of the same land be come also: Yea, many people and great kings shall serve him. Moreover, that people and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar, and that will not put their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, the same people will I visit with the sword, with hunger, and with pestilence, until I have consumed them in his hands, sayeth the LORD.

And he began to teach them, how that the son of man must suffer many things, and should be reproved of the elders and of the high priests and scribes, and should be killed, and after three days arise again.

when the morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people held a counsel against Jesus, to put him to death, and brought him bound and delivered him unto Pontius Pilate, the deputy.

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this power?"

And anon in the dawning held the high priests a council with the elders and the scribes; And also the whole congregation, and bound Jesus and led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Then assembled together the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people into the palace of the high priest, called Caiaphas: and held a counsel, how they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said, "Not on the holy day, lest any uproar arise among the people."

If any man hunger, let him eat at home, that ye come not together unto condemnation. Other things will I set in order when I come.

And the apostles and elders came together to reason of this matter.

For it seemed good to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to you more than these necessary things,

For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God?

Rebuke not an elder: but exhort him as a father, and the younger men as brethren,

Jesus answered, and said unto him, "If a man love me and will keep my sayings, my father also will love him, and we will come unto him, and will dwell with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. And the words which ye hear are not mine, but the father's, which sent me. "This have I spoken unto you being yet present with you. read more.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be grieved, neither fear ye. "Ye have heard how I said unto you, 'I go and come again unto you.' If ye loved me, ye would verily rejoice, because I said I go unto the father. For the father is greater than I. And now have I showed you, before it come: that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me.

If our Gospel be yet hid, it is hid among them that are lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest should shine unto them the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God.

"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, that comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will rebuke the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on me: read more.
Of righteousness, because I go to my father, and ye shall see me no more: And of judgment, because the chief ruler of this world is judged already.

That we speak of is wisdom among them that are perfect - not the wisdom of this world, neither of the rulers of this world, which goeth to nought - but we speak the wisdom of God, which is in secret and lieth hid, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which wisdom none of the rulers of the world knew. For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

O that men would therefore praise the LORD for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men! - That they would exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders, which turneth floods into dry land, and drieth up the watersprings! read more.
A fruitful land maketh he barren, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water, and watersprings of a dry ground. There he setteth the hungry, that they may build them a city to dwell in, that they may sow their land and plant vineyards, to yield them fruits of increase. He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly, and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. When they are minished and brought low through oppression, through any plague or trouble, though he suffer them to be evil-entreated through tyrants, or let them wander out of the way in the wilderness,

And they slew plenteously throughout all Israel, and did eat and drink before the LORD the same day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king of Israel the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD, to be ruler, and Zadok to be the priest.

And all the congregation made a bond with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, "Behold, the king's son must reign over the children of David, as the LORD hath said.

And the LORD said unto Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun in whom there is spirit, and put thine hands upon him, and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight. And put of thy praise upon him that all the company of the children of Israel may hear. read more.
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest which shall ask counsel for him, after the manner of the light, before the LORD: And at the mouth of Eleazar shall both he and all the children of Israel with him, and all the congregation, go in and out." And Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and put his hands upon him and give him a charge, as the LORD commanded through the hand of Moses.

And Samuel said to all the people, "There! See ye whom the LORD hath chosen, and how there is none like him among all the company?" And all the people shouted and said, "God save the king!"

Then all the elders of Israel gathered them together and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, "Behold, thou art old and thy sons follow not thy ways. Now, therefore, make us a king to judge us, as all other nations have." But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. read more.
And the LORD said unto Samuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee. For they have not cast thee away, but me: that I should not reign over them. And as they have ever done - since I brought them out of Egypt unto this day, and have forsaken me and served other gods - even so do they unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet, testify unto them and show them the duty of the king that shall reign over them." And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked a king of him, and he said, "This shall be the duty of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons and put them to his chariots and make his horsemen of them and they must run before his chariot, and will make him captains of them over thousands and over fifties, and set them to ear his ground, and to gather in his harvest, and to make instruments of war and apparel for his chariots. And he will take your daughters and make them the dressers of his ointments, and his cooks and bakers. And he shall take the best of your fields, and of your vineyards and of your olive trees, and give them to his servants. And he shall take the tenth of your seed and of your vines, and give it to his lords, and to his servants. And he shall take the best of your menservants and maidservants and young men, and of your asses, and do his work with them. And he shall take the tenth of your sheep, and ye shall be his servants. And when ye cry out at that time upon your king which ye shall have chosen you, the LORD will not hear you at that day." Nevertheless, the people would not hear the voice of Samuel, but did say, "Nay, not so: But there shall be a king over us, and we will be like all other nations. And our king shall judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles." And Samuel heard all the words of the people and rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Hearken unto their voice and make them a king." Then said Samuel unto the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

The seat of the king that faithfully judgeth the poor, shall continue sure for ever more.

Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and saidst, "I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast, and mine arm shall strengthen him. read more.
The enemy shall not overcome him, and the son of wickedness shall not hurt him. I shall smite down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand in the sea, and his righthand in the floods. He shall call me, "Thou art my father, my God, and the strength of my salvation.' And I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. But if his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments, if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments, I will visit their offenses with the rod, and their sins with scourges. Nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my truth to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor disannull the thing that is gone out of my lips. I have sworn once by my holiness, that I will not fail David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne is like as the sun before me. He shall stand fast for evermore as the moon, and as the faithful witness in heaven." Selah.

Now therefore so say unto my servant David, thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts, 'I took thee out of a shepherd's cote from following sheep to be a ruler over my people Israel. And I was with thee in all that thou wentest to, and have destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men of the world. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant it and they shall continue in one place and shall move no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them any more as they did at the beginning, read more.
and since the time I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will give thee rest from all thine enemies. And the LORD telleth thee that he will build thee a household. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou laid to rest with thy fathers, then I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and will establish his kingdom. And he shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the seat of his kingdom forever: I will be his father and he shall be my son; insomuch that if he sin, I will but rebuke him with such a rod as men be rebuked with and with such plagues as the children of men be plagued with. But my mercy will I not take away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put down before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall endure without end after thee, and thy seat shall be established forever.'"

And king David stood upon his feet and said, "Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had in mine heart to build a house of rest for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, and a footstool for our God, and had made ready to build. But God said to me, 'Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou art a man of war and hast shed blood.' Moreover, the LORD God of Israel chose me of all the house of my father, to be king over Israel forever, for he chose Judah to be a captain: and in the house of Judah the house of my father, and of the sons of my father he had a lust to me, to make me king over all Israel. read more.
And of all my sons - for the LORD hath given me many sons - he hath chosen Solomon my son, to sit on the seat of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, 'Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father, and will establish his kingdom forever. If he will harden himself to do my commandments, and my laws, as it goeth this day.'

"Behold, God casteth not away the mighty, for he himself is mighty in power and wisdom. As for the ungodly, he preserveth them not, but helpeth the poor to their right. He turneth not his eyes away from the righteous; he setteth up kings in their throne, and confirmeth them, so that they alway sit therein.

And the LORD said unto Samuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee. For they have not cast thee away, but me: that I should not reign over them.

And the people answered all together and said, "All that the LORD hath said, we will do." And Moses brought the words of the people unto the LORD.

At the mouth of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the mouth of the LORD they pitched. And as long as the cloud abode upon the habitation, they lay still,

that thou shouldest come under the covenant of the LORD thy God, and under his oath which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day.

And Gideon said unto them, "I will not reign over you, neither shall my children reign over you, but the LORD shall reign over you."

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius the Emperor, Pontius Pilate being leftenant of Jewry, and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip Tetrarch in Ituraea, and in the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the Tetrarch of Abilene:

After five days, Ananias the high priest descended, with elders and with a certain orator named Tertullus, and informed the ruler of Paul.

And from the time forth that it was committed unto me to be a captain in the land of Judah, namely from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of king Artaxerxes - that is twelve years - I and my brethren lived not of such sustenance as was given to a captain:

Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, wrote a letter from Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, as it followeth. Then Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and others of the council of Dina, of Arphaxad, of Tarplat, of Persia, of Erech, of Babylon, of Susa, of Deha, and of Elam,

and brought him bound and delivered him unto Pontius Pilate, the deputy.

A man that is given to heresy, after the first and the second admonition; avoid,

Of whose number is Hymenaeus, and Alexander, which I have delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and softness of Christ, which when I am present among you, am of no reputation, but am bold toward you being absent.

to deliver him unto Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

I told you before, and tell you before, and as I said when I was present with you the second time, so write I now, being absent, to them which in time past have sinned, and to all others: that if I come again, I will not spare;

Thus sayeth the LORD: Heaven is my seat, and the earth is my footstool. Where shall now the house stand, that ye build unto me? And where shall be the place, that I will dwell in?

Thy seat, O God, endureth forever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.

The LORD hath prepared his seat in heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over all.

And I saw a great white seat and him that sat on it, from whose face fled away both the earth and heaven, and their place was no more found.

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's seat:

For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. Upon his shoulders shall the kingdom lie, and he shall be called with his own name, "Wonderful, the giver of counsel, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace." He shall make no end to increase the kingdom and peace, and shall sit upon the seat of David and in his kingdom, to set up the same: to establish it with equity and righteousness, from thenceforth for evermore. This shall the jealousy of the LORD of hosts bring to pass.

The LORD reign ever and always!"

Say unto God, "O how wonderful are thy works? Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee. For all the world shall worship thee, sing of thee, and praise thy name." Selah. O come hither and behold the works of God; which is so wonderful in his doings among the children of men. read more.
He turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot; there did we rejoice thereof. He ruleth with his power forever. His eyes behold the people; the renegades shall not be able to exalt themselves. Selah.

The LORD thy God, O Zion, is king for evermore, and throughout all generations. Praise the everlasting! Hallelujah!

And the seventh angel blew, and there were made great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are our Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore." And the twenty four elders, which sit before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, "We give thee thanks Lord God, almighty: which art and wast, and art to come, for thou hast received thy great might, and hast reigned.

Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou loosest on earth, it shall be loosed in heaven."

Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

As they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch for your souls, even as they that must give accounts for them: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. For that is an unprofitable thing for you.

Warn them, that they submit themselves to rule and power, to obey the officers, that they be ready unto all good works,

Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not to be feared for good works but for evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same. read more.
For he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear: for he beareth not a sword for nought; but is the minister of God, to take vengeance on them that do evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not for fear of vengeance only: but also because of conscience. And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose. Give to every man therefore his duty: Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth.

Tell us, therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me ye hypocrites? Let me see the tribute money." And they took him a penny. read more.
And he said unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They said unto him, "Caesar's." Then said he unto them, "Give therefore to Caesar, that which is Caesar's: and give unto God, that which is God's."

And he said unto them, "Give then unto Caesar, that which belongeth unto Cesar: And to God, that which pertaineth to God."

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head; other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do. For so is the will of God, that ye put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men: read more.
as free, and not as having the liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: but even as the servants of God. See that ye honour all men. Love brotherly fellowship, fear God, and honour the King.

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" And they appointed unto him thirty pieces of silver.

And she wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal, and sent it unto the elders and chief men of his city that dwelt where Naboth dwelt. And she wrote in the letter, saying, "Proclaim fasting and set Naboth on high among the people, and set two unthrifties before him, and let them testify against him, saying, 'Thou didst curse both God and the king.' And upon that carry him out and stone him to death." read more.
And the elders and nobles of his city, which dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letter which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed fasting, and set Naboth on high among the people, and there came in two unthrifty persons and sat before him. And the two unthrifty persons witnessed against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth did curse God and the king." And upon that they carried him out of the city and stoned him with stones to death. And then they sent to Jezebel saying, "Naboth is stoned to death."

There stood also before the images: Seventy lords of the counsel of the house of Israel; and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. And every one of them had a censor in his hand, and out of the incense there went a smoke, as it had been a cloud. Then said he unto me, "Thou son of man, hast thou seen what the Senators of the house of Israel do secretly, everyone in his chamber? For they say, 'Tush, the LORD seeth us not, the LORD regardeth not the world.'"

Then when Judas, which betrayed him, saw that he was condemned, he repented himself; and brought again the thirty plates of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned, betraying the innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? see thou to that."

Then said Jezebel his wife unto him, "What a goodly kingdom were thou able to make in Israel? Up, and eat meat and set thine heart at rest, for I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." And she wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal, and sent it unto the elders and chief men of his city that dwelt where Naboth dwelt. And she wrote in the letter, saying, "Proclaim fasting and set Naboth on high among the people, read more.
and set two unthrifties before him, and let them testify against him, saying, 'Thou didst curse both God and the king.' And upon that carry him out and stone him to death." And the elders and nobles of his city, which dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letter which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed fasting, and set Naboth on high among the people, and there came in two unthrifty persons and sat before him. And the two unthrifty persons witnessed against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth did curse God and the king." And upon that they carried him out of the city and stoned him with stones to death. And then they sent to Jezebel saying, "Naboth is stoned to death." And when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Up, and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite, which he denied to give thee for silver, for Naboth is not alive, but dead." And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead. He stood up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, "God do so to me and so thereto if Adonijah have not spoken this word against himself. Now therefore as surely as the LORD liveth which hath established me and set me on the seat of David my father, and which hath made me a house as he promised me, Adonijah shall die this day." And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and smote him that he died.

Then tidings came to Joab - for Joab had turned after Adonijah, but not after Absalom - whereupon he fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD and caught handfast on the horns of the altar. And it was told king Solomon how that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD and stood by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada saying, "Go and smite him." And when Benaiah was come to the tabernacle of the LORD he said unto him, "Thus sayeth the king: 'Come out.'" And he said, "Nay: But I will die even here." And Benaiah brought the king word, saying, "Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me." read more.
And the king said, "Do even as he hath said: smite him and bury him, and take away the blood which Joab shed, causeless, from me and from the house of my father. And the LORD bring his blood upon his own head, for he smote two men righteouser and better than he, and slew them with the sword; my father unwitting: even Abner the son of Ner captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether captain of the host of Judah. And their blood return upon the head of Joab and on the head of his seed forever. And prosperity be unto David, and unto his seed, and unto his house, and unto his seat, of the LORD forever." And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and smote him and slew him and buried him in his own house in the wilderness.

Then the king sent and called Shimei, and said to him, "Build thee a house in Jerusalem and dwell there and see that thou go not once thence any whither. For be thou sure of it: the day thou goest out and passest over the river of Kidron, thou shalt die for it, and thy blood shall be on thine own head." And Shimei said unto the king, "It is well said: as my lord the king hath said, so will his servant do." And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many a day. read more.
And it chanced, at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And one told Shimei, saying, "See, thy servants be in Gath." And Shimei stood up and saddled his ass and gat him to Gath to Achish, to seek his servants, and came and brought them again from Gath. But it was told Solomon how that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and was come again. And the king sent and called Shimei and said unto him, "Did I not adjure thee by the LORD, and testified unto thee saying, 'Be sure whensoever thou goest out and walkest abroad any whither, thou shalt die for it?' And thou answeredst me, 'It is good tidings that I have heard.' Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I commanded thee?" And then the king said to Shimei, "Thou rememberest all the wickedness which thine heart knoweth that thou didst to David my father. The LORD therefore render again thy wickedness upon thine own head: and king Solomon be blessed, and the fear of the LORD be established before the LORD forever." And the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada: which went out and smote him that he died. And so was the kingdom settled in the hand of Solomon.

And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And when Rehoboam the son of Nebat heard of it, being yet in Egypt - for he fled to Egypt for fear of Solomon - he came again out of Egypt. And they sent and called him: and so Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, read more.
"Thy father made our yoke grievous, but now make thou the grievous service of thy father and his sore yoke which he put upon us, lighter; and so we will serve thee." And he said unto them, "Depart yet for the space of three days, and then come again to me." And the people departed. And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, and said, "What counsel give ye to answer this people withal?" And they said unto him, "If thou shalt be a servant unto this people this day and serve them and answer them and speak kind words to them: they will be thy servants forever." But he forsook the counsel that the old men had given him, and counselled with the young men that were nourished up with him and had waited on him. And he said unto them, "What counsel give ye, to answer this people withal which have communed with me saying, 'Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us, lighter?'" And the young men that were brought up with him, answered him, saying, "This people that have said unto thee, 'Thy father made our yoke heavy, make thou it us lighter' - thus answer them: 'My little finger shall be weightier than my father's loins! And now, where my father put a grievous yoke upon you, I will make it heavier. For where my father corrected you with scourges, I will chastise you with scorpions." And when Jeroboam and all the people were come to Rehoboam the third day - as the king appointed them, saying, "Come to me again this day three days" - the king answered the people churlishly and left the advice that old men gave him: and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke grievous, but I will make it grievouser. For where my father chastised you with whips, I will chastise you with scorpions." And so the king hearkened not unto the people: for the turning away was of the LORD, to perform his saying, which the LORD said by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king again saying, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents therefore Israel, and now see to thine own house David." And so Israel departed unto their tents.

And Samuel took the horn with the ointment and anointed him in the presence of his brethren. And the spirit of the LORD came upon David, from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his fashion nor on the height of his stature, for I have refused him. Because it is not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance: but the LORD beholdeth the heart."

And then the LORD said unto Samuel, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have cast him away from reigning over Israel? Fill a horn with ointment, and come: I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have spied me a king among his sons."

Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and saidst, "I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast, and mine arm shall strengthen him. read more.
The enemy shall not overcome him, and the son of wickedness shall not hurt him. I shall smite down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand in the sea, and his righthand in the floods. He shall call me, "Thou art my father, my God, and the strength of my salvation.' And I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. But if his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments, if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments, I will visit their offenses with the rod, and their sins with scourges. Nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my truth to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor disannull the thing that is gone out of my lips. I have sworn once by my holiness, that I will not fail David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne is like as the sun before me. He shall stand fast for evermore as the moon, and as the faithful witness in heaven." Selah.

And he shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the seat of his kingdom forever: I will be his father and he shall be my son; insomuch that if he sin, I will but rebuke him with such a rod as men be rebuked with and with such plagues as the children of men be plagued with. But my mercy will I not take away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put down before thee. read more.
And thine house and thy kingdom shall endure without end after thee, and thy seat shall be established forever.'"

And Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went all the servants of Pharaoh that were the elders of his house, and all the elders of Egypt,

And when it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled, then Pharaoh's heart and all his servants turned unto the people and said, "Why have we this done, that we have let Israel go out of our service?"

And the saying pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Then said Pharaoh unto his servants, "Where shall we find such a man as this is, that hath the spirit of God in him?"

The LORD said unto Moses, "Go unto Pharaoh; nevertheless I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I might show these, my signs, amongst them,

And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, "How long shall this fellow thus plague us? Let the men go that they may serve the LORD their God; or else wilt thou see Egypt first destroyed?"

It fortuned in the days of Ahasuerus - which reigned from India unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty lands -

And it chanced within a while, that Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of the nations:

And it chanced, in those days, that there went out a commandment from Augustus the Emperor, that all the world should be taxed.

Nebuchadnezzar, king, unto all people, kindreds and tongues that dwell upon the whole earth: peace be multiplied among you.

It pleased Darius to set over his kingdom a hundred and twenty lords, which should be in all his kingdom about. Above these he set three princes - of whom Daniel was one - that the lords might give accounts unto them, and the king to be undiseased. But Daniel exceeded all these princes and lords, for the spirit of God was plenteous in him: so that the king was minded to set him over the whole realm.

And the LORD magnified Solomon on high, in the sight of all Israel, and gave him so glorious a kingdom as none of all that were kings before in Israel had.

For the kingdom is the LORD's, and he is the governour among the people.

Moreover, the LORD shall stir him up a king over Israel which shall destroy the house of Jeroboam in that day. And what is that, that is now in hand?

Then came the word of the LORD to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, "Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of dust and made thee captain over my people Israel, and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam and hast made my people Israel sin, to anger me with their sin: therefore I will make clean riddance of Baasha and of all his house, and will make his house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. read more.
And he that dieth of Baasha in the city, him shall dogs eat: and him that dieth in the fields, shall the fowls of the air eat."

Moreover, the LORD God of Israel chose me of all the house of my father, to be king over Israel forever, for he chose Judah to be a captain: and in the house of Judah the house of my father, and of the sons of my father he had a lust to me, to make me king over all Israel. And of all my sons - for the LORD hath given me many sons - he hath chosen Solomon my son, to sit on the seat of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

And Moses went up unto God. And the LORD called to him out of the mountain saying, "Thus say unto the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel, 'Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I took you up upon Eagles' wings, and have brought you unto myself. Now therefore if ye will hear my voice and keep mine covenant: ye shall be mine own above all nations, for all the earth is mine. read more.
Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy people.' These are the words which thou shalt say unto the children of Israel." And Moses came and called for the elders of Israel, and laid before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. And the people answered all together and said, "All that the LORD hath said, we will do." And Moses brought the words of the people unto the LORD.

This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these ordinances and laws. Keep them, therefore, and do them with all thine heart and all thy soul. Thou hast set up the LORD this day to be thy God and to walk in his ways and to keep his ordinances, his commandments and his laws, and to hearken unto his voice. And the LORD hath set thee up this day, to be a several people unto him - as he hath promised thee - and that thou keep his commandments, read more.
and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, in name and honour: that thou mayest be a holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath said."

These are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, "Ye have seen all, that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, unto Pharaoh and unto all his servants, and unto all his land, and the great temptations which thine eyes have seen, and those great miracles and wonders. read more.
And yet the LORD hath not given you a heart to perceive, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear unto this day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: and your clothes are not waxed old upon you, nor are thy shoes waxed old upon thy feet. Ye have eaten no bread, nor drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know, how that he is the LORD your God. And at the last ye came unto this place, and Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against you unto battle, and we smote them and took their land and gave it a heritance unto the Reubenites and Gadites and to the half tribe of Manasseh. Keep therefore the words of this covenant and do them, that ye may understand all that ye ought to do. Ye stand here this day every one of you before the LORD your God: both the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officers and all the men of Israel; your children, your wives and the strangers that are in thine host, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water; that thou shouldest come under the covenant of the LORD thy God, and under his oath which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day. For to make thee a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee. For they have not cast thee away, but me: that I should not reign over them.

For it was thrust into Ahaziah of God to go to Joram, and that when he was come, he should go out with Joram against Jehu the son of Nimshi whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.

Howbeit I will not take away all: but will give one tribe to thy son, because of David my servant and because of Jerusalem which I have chosen."

And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And when Rehoboam the son of Nebat heard of it, being yet in Egypt - for he fled to Egypt for fear of Solomon - he came again out of Egypt. And they sent and called him: and so Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, read more.
"Thy father made our yoke grievous, but now make thou the grievous service of thy father and his sore yoke which he put upon us, lighter; and so we will serve thee." And he said unto them, "Depart yet for the space of three days, and then come again to me." And the people departed. And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, and said, "What counsel give ye to answer this people withal?" And they said unto him, "If thou shalt be a servant unto this people this day and serve them and answer them and speak kind words to them: they will be thy servants forever." But he forsook the counsel that the old men had given him, and counselled with the young men that were nourished up with him and had waited on him. And he said unto them, "What counsel give ye, to answer this people withal which have communed with me saying, 'Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us, lighter?'" And the young men that were brought up with him, answered him, saying, "This people that have said unto thee, 'Thy father made our yoke heavy, make thou it us lighter' - thus answer them: 'My little finger shall be weightier than my father's loins! And now, where my father put a grievous yoke upon you, I will make it heavier. For where my father corrected you with scourges, I will chastise you with scorpions." And when Jeroboam and all the people were come to Rehoboam the third day - as the king appointed them, saying, "Come to me again this day three days" - the king answered the people churlishly and left the advice that old men gave him: and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke grievous, but I will make it grievouser. For where my father chastised you with whips, I will chastise you with scorpions." And so the king hearkened not unto the people: for the turning away was of the LORD, to perform his saying, which the LORD said by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king again saying, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents therefore Israel, and now see to thine own house David." And so Israel departed unto their tents. Howbeit, over the children of Israel which dwelt in the city of Judah, did Rehoboam reign still. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, the receiver of the tribute. And all Israel stoned him to death with stones. But king Rehoboam made speed and gat him up to his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. And so Israel departed from the house of David unto this day. And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, they sent and called him unto the congregation and made him king over Israel: and no man followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and four score thousands of chosen men and good warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, and to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. Then came the word of God unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, "Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the remnant of the people and say, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Go not, nor yet fight against your brethren the children of Israel, but return every man to his house, for this doing is of the LORD.'" And they obeyed the word of the LORD and returned and departed according to the word of the LORD.

And so the king hearkened not unto the people, for the turning away was of God, that the LORD might make good his saying which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

'Thus sayeth the LORD. Go not nor fight with your brethren: But return every man to his house, for this thing is done of me.'" And they obeyed the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam.

And it chanced on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from morning unto evening. When his father-in-law saw all that he did unto the people, he said, "What is this that thou doest unto the people? Why sittest thou thyself and lettest all the people stand about thee from morning unto even?" And Moses said unto his father-in-law, "Because the people came unto me to seek counsel of God. read more.
For when they have a matter, they come unto me, and I must judge between every man and his neighbor, and must show them the ordinances of God and his laws." And his father-in-law said unto him, "It is not well that thou doest. Thou doest unwisely and also this people that is with thee: because the thing is too grievous for thee, and thou art not able to do it thyself alone. But hear my voice, and I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou unto the people to Godward, and bring the causes unto God, and provide them ordinances and laws, and show them the way wherein they must walk and the works that they must do. Moreover, seek out, among all the people, men of activity which fear God; and men that are true and hate covetousness: and make them heads over the people, captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty, and over ten. And let them judge the people at all seasons: If there be any great matter, let them bring that unto thee, and let them judge all small causes them selves, and ease thyself, and let them bear with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, then thou shalt be able to endure that which God chargeth thee with all, and all this people shall go to their places quietly." And Moses heard the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said, and chose active men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty and over ten. And they judged the people at all seasons, and brought the hard causes unto Moses: and judged all small matters themselves.

And the LORD said unto Moses, "Gather unto me seventy of the elders of Israel, which thou knowest that they are the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them unto the tabernacle of witness, and let them stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there, and take of the spirit which is upon thee and put upon them, and they shall bear with thee in the burden of the people, and so shalt thou not bear alone.

And Moses went out and told the people the saying of the LORD, and gathered the seventy elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. And the LORD came down in a cloud and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders. And as the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied and did nought else.

And I said unto you the same season, 'I am not able to bear you myself alone. For the LORD your God hath multiplied you: so that ye are this day as the stars of heaven in number.' - The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you as he hath promised you - read more.
'How,' said I, 'can I myself alone bear the cumbrance, charge, and strife that is among you? Bring therefore men of wisdom and of understanding and expert, known among your tribes, that I may make them rulers over you.' And ye answered me, and said, 'That which thou hast spoken is good to be done.' And then I took the heads of your tribes, men of wisdom and that were expert, and made them rulers over you: captains over thousands and over hundreds, over fifty and over ten, and officers among your tribes. And I charged your judges the same time, saying, 'Hear your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him. See that ye know no man in judgment: but hear the small as well as the great and be afraid of no man, for the judgment is God's. And the cause that is too hard for you, bring unto me and I will hear it.'

In the seventh year, the tenth day of the fifth Month, it happened that certain of the elders of Israel came unto me, for to ask counsel at the LORD, and sat them down by me.

Proclaim a fasting, call the congregation, gather the elders and all the inhabiters of the land together in to the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD.

It happened that in the sixth year, the fifth day of the sixth Month, I sat in my house, and the lords of the counsel of Judah with me. And the hand of the LORD God fell even there upon me.

There resorted unto me certain of the elders of Israel, and sat down by me.

"Thou son of man: speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Are ye come hither to ask anything at me? As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God,

Hear, O ye heads of the house of Jacob, and ye leaders of the house of Israel: Should not ye know, what were lawful and right? But ye hate the good, and love the evil: ye pluck off men's skins, and the flesh from their bones; ye eat the flesh of my people, and flay of their skin; ye break their bones, ye chop them in pieces as it were into a cauldron, and as flesh into a pot. read more.
Now the time shall come, that when they call unto the LORD, he shall not hear them, but hide his face from them, because that through their own Imaginations they have dealt so wickedly.

And then Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, "Why art thou so froward, that thou eatest no meat?" And he said unto her, "I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, 'Give me thy vineyard for silver, or else if thou wilt, I will give thee another vineyard for it.' And he said, 'I will not give thee my vineyard.'" Then said Jezebel his wife unto him, "What a goodly kingdom were thou able to make in Israel? Up, and eat meat and set thine heart at rest, for I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." read more.
And she wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal, and sent it unto the elders and chief men of his city that dwelt where Naboth dwelt. And she wrote in the letter, saying, "Proclaim fasting and set Naboth on high among the people, and set two unthrifties before him, and let them testify against him, saying, 'Thou didst curse both God and the king.' And upon that carry him out and stone him to death." And the elders and nobles of his city, which dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letter which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed fasting, and set Naboth on high among the people, and there came in two unthrifty persons and sat before him. And the two unthrifty persons witnessed against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth did curse God and the king." And upon that they carried him out of the city and stoned him with stones to death.

Take away ungodliness from the king, and his seat shall be established with righteousness.

O hear this, ye rulers of the house of Jacob, and ye judges of the house of Israel: ye that abhor the thing that is lawful, and wrest aside the thing that is straight; Ye that build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with doing wrong. O ye judges, ye give sentence for gifts; O ye priests, ye teach for lucre; O ye prophets, ye prophesy for money. Yet will they be taken as those that hold upon God, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? Tush, there can no misfortune happen us."

"Thou shalt not rail upon the judges, neither curse the ruler of thy people.

Wish the king no evil in thy thought, and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy chamber; for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she betray thy words.

And he took the book of the covenant and read it in the audience of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD hath said, we will do and hear."

And Moses came and called for the elders of Israel, and laid before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. And the people answered all together and said, "All that the LORD hath said, we will do." And Moses brought the words of the people unto the LORD.

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the laws. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD hath said, will we do."

Ye stand here this day every one of you before the LORD your God: both the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officers and all the men of Israel; your children, your wives and the strangers that are in thine host, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water; that thou shouldest come under the covenant of the LORD thy God, and under his oath which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day. read more.
For to make thee a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "Also, I make not this covenant and this oath with you only: but both with him that stoodeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day.

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head; other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do.

Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not to be feared for good works but for evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same. read more.
For he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear: for he beareth not a sword for nought; but is the minister of God, to take vengeance on them that do evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not for fear of vengeance only: but also because of conscience. And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose. Give to every man therefore his duty: Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth.

{Of Solomon} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. Then shall he judge thy people according unto right, and defend the poor. The mountains also shall bring peace, and the little hills righteousness unto the people. read more.
He shall keep the simple folk by their right, defend the children of the poor, and punish the wrongdoer. Thou shalt be feared as long as the sun and moon endureth, from one generation to another. He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool, even as the drops that water the earth. In his time shall the righteous flourish, yea, and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth. His dominion shall be from the one sea to the other, and from the flood unto the world's end. They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall give presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts. All kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall do him service. For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth, and the needy that hath no help. He shall be favorable to the simple and poor; he shall preserve the souls of such as be in adversity. He shall deliver their souls from extortion and wrong, and dear shall their blood be in his sight. He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be praised. There shall be a heap of corn in the earth, high upon the hills; his fruit shall shake like Lebanon, and shall be green in the city like grass upon the earth. His name shall endure forever; his name shall remain under the sun among the posterities, which shall be blessed in him. And all the heathen shall praise him.

A wise king destroyeth the ungodly, and bringeth the wheel over them.

And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, "As surely as the LORD liveth, which hath delivered my soul out of all adversities: him that told me how that Saul was dead, thinking to have brought me good tidings, I caught and slew in Ziklag, to give him a reward for his tidings-bringing. And how much more ought I to deal with wicked men that have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? Now therefore think ye that I will not require his blood of your hands and take you from the earth?" read more.
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them and cut off their hands and their feet and hanged them up by the pole in Hebron. And they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

Then said David unto the young man that brought him tidings, "Whence art thou?" And he said, "I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite." And David said unto him, "How is it that thou wast not afraid to lay thine hand on the LORD's anointed, to destroy him?" And David called one of his young men, and said, "Go and run upon him." And he smote him that he died. read more.
Then said David unto him, "Thy blood upon thine own head; for thine own mouth hath testified against thee, saying, 'I have slain the LORD's anointed.'"

Wherefore on the morrow David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah. And he wrote in the letter saying, "Put Uriah in the forefront of the battle where it is most strong, and come back from him that he may be smitten to death." And as Joab beseiged the city he assigned Uriah unto a place where he wist that strong men were. read more.
And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And there were certain overthrown of the people and of the servants of David - and Uriah the Hittite died also.

Like as a roaring lion and a hungry bear, even so is an ungodly prince over the poor people.

O hear this, ye rulers of the house of Jacob, and ye judges of the house of Israel: ye that abhor the thing that is lawful, and wrest aside the thing that is straight; Ye that build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with doing wrong. O ye judges, ye give sentence for gifts; O ye priests, ye teach for lucre; O ye prophets, ye prophesy for money. Yet will they be taken as those that hold upon God, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? Tush, there can no misfortune happen us." read more.
Therefore shall Zion, for your sakes, be plowed like a field: Jerusalem shall become a heap of stones, and the hill of the temple shall be turned to a high wood.

And David and the elders of Israel and the Captains over thousands went to fetch the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with gladness.

And the elders of his house arose and went to him to take him up from the earth. But he would not, neither yet eat meat with them.

And David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and heaven with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out toward Jerusalem. Then fell David and the elders of Israel, clothed in sack, upon their faces.

And so all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel.

And when all the elders of Israel were come to the king to Hebron, David made a covenant with them there before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Samuel.

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, "Ye have long gone about that David should be king over you. Now then, do it. For the LORD hath said of David, 'By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel; out of the hands of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'" And like words had he with Benjamin, and then went to tell in the ears of David in Hebron all that Israel was content with and the whole house of Benjamin. read more.
And when Abner was come to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him: David made him and the men that were with him a feast. Then Abner said unto David, "I will up and go gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make an appointment with thee, that thou mayest be king over all that thine heart desireth." And so David let Abner depart, and he went in peace.

When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but that more business was made, he took water and washed his hands before the people saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person: see ye thereto."

And from thenceforth sought Pilate means to loose him: but the Jews cried, saying, "If thou let him go, thou art not Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a King, is against Caesar." When Pilate heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down to give sentence, in a place called the pavement: But in the Hebrew tongue, Gabbatha. It was the Sabbath even which falleth in the Easter feast, and about the sixth hour. And he said unto the Jews, "Behold your King." read more.
They cried, "Away with him, away with him; Crucify him." Pilate said unto them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The high priests answered, "We have no King but Caesar." Then delivered he him unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

And the king stood at his standing and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep his commandments, his witnesses and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul and to fulfill the words of the covenant written in the said book.

And then the king sent and gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.

Then said Samuel unto Saul, "I will not return with thee: for thou hast cast away the bidding of God, and therefore the LORD hath cast away thee also, that thou shalt not be king over Israel." And as Samuel turned to go away, he caught the lap of his coat, and it rent. Then Samuel said, "The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine that is better than thou.

And after he had put him down, he set up David to be their king: of whom he gave reported, saying, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, he shall fulfill all my will.'

that he said unto him, "I am afraid of my lord the king, which hath appointed you your meat and drink: lest he spy your faces to be worse liking than the other springaldes of your age, and so ye shall make me lose my head unto the king."

The king gave the Chaldeans their answer, and said, "It is gone from me: If ye will not make me understand the dream with the interpretation thereof, ye shall die, and your houses shall be prised. But if ye tell me the dream and the meaning thereof, ye shall have of me gifts, rewards and great honour. Only, show me the dream, and the signification of it." They answered again, and said, "The king must show his servants the dream, and so shall we declare what it meaneth." read more.
Then the king answered, saying, "I perceive of a truth, that ye do but prolong the time: forsomuch as ye see, that the thing is gone from me. Therefore, if ye will not tell me the dream, ye shall all have one judgment: But ye feign and dissemble with vain words which ye speak before me, to put off the time. Therefore tell me the dream, and so shall I know - if ye can show me - what it meaneth." Upon this, the Chaldeans gave answer before the king, and said, "There is no man upon earth that can tell the thing, which the king speaketh of: Yea, there is neither king, prince, nor lord that ever asked such things at a soothsayer, charmer, or Chaldean: for it is a very hard matter, that the king requireth. Neither is there any that can certify the king thereof, except the gods: whose dwelling is not among the creatures." For the which cause the king was wroth with great indignation, and commanded to destroy all the wise men at Babylon: and the proclamation went forth that the wise men should be slain. They sought also to slay Daniel with his companions.

So that all people, kindreds and tongues stood in awe and fear of him, by reason of the high estate that he had sent him. For why? He slew whom he would; he smote, whom it pleased him. Again: whom he would, he set up; and whom he list, he put down.

Go and tell Jeroboam, thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: 'Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the common people and made thee prince over my people Israel, and did rent the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it thee - and thou hast not been as was my servant David, which kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, to do that only which seemeth right in mine eyes - but hast done evil above all that were before thee, and hast gone and made the other gods and images of metal, to provoke me, and hast cast me behind thy back. read more.
Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam and will strike from Jeroboam all that pisseth against the wall, and whatsoever is in prison or forsaken in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as men take away a dung hill, till it be consumed. And whosoever of Jeroboam's house die in the town, him shall the dogs eat, and him that dieth in the field, shall the fowls of the air eat': for the LORD hath said it. Up, and get thee to thine house, and as soon as thy foot enterest the city, the lad shall die. Howbeit, all Israel shall mourn him and bury him, for this only of all Jeroboam shall come to the sepulchre, because in him there is found goodness toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. Moreover, the LORD shall stir him up a king over Israel which shall destroy the house of Jeroboam in that day. And what is that, that is now in hand? And the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed that groweth in the water is shaken, and will weed Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond Euphrates, because they have made them groves to anger the LORD. And he will give Israel up, because of the sin of Jeroboam wherewith he did sin and made Israel sin thereto."

But Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and slew him at Gibbethon a city of the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel lay at siege before Gibbethon. And it was the third year of Asa king of Judah, when Baasha slew him, and reigned in his stead. And as soon as he was king, he slew all the house of Jeroboam and left him nought that breathed, until he had put him clean out, agreeing unto the saying of the LORD which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite, read more.
for the sin of Jeroboam wherewith he sinned and made Israel sin, and for his angering wherewith he angered the LORD God of Israel.

"Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders? For they wash not their hands, when they eat bread."

Hypocrites; well prophesied of you Isaiah, saying, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips, howbeit their hearts are far from me: But in vain they worship me, teaching doctrines which are nothing but men's precepts.'"

And the Pharisees came together unto him, and divers of the scribes which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw certain of his disciples eat bread with common hands, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they complained. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not; observing the traditions of the elders.

Then Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and ancient lords of the children of Israel, unto him to Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David which is Zion. And all the men of Israel assembled unto king Solomon to the feast that falleth in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. And when all the elders of Israel were come, the priests took up the Ark of the LORD,

Then Solomon gathered the elders of Israel together and all the heads of the tribes and ancient lords among the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem: to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD out of the city of David which is Zion. And all the men of Israel resorted unto the king in the feast of the seventh month. And when all the elders of Israel were come, the Levites took up the Ark.

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee and enjoyest it and dwellest therein: If thou shalt say, 'I will set a king over me, like unto all the nations that are about me': Then thou shalt make him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose. One of thy brethren must thou make king over thee, and mayest not set a stranger over thee which is not of thy brethren. But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.' read more.
Also he shall not have too many wives, lest his heart turn away, neither shall he gather him silver and gold too much. And when he is sitten upon the seat of his kingdom, he shall write him out this second law in a book; taking a copy of the priests' the Levites'. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all days of his life that he may learn to fear the LORD his God for to keep all the words of this law and these ordinances for to do them: that his heart arise not above his brethren and that he turn not from the commandment: either to the righthand or to the left: that both he and his children may prolong their days in his kingdom in Israel.

Bring therefore men of wisdom and of understanding and expert, known among your tribes, that I may make them rulers over you.' And ye answered me, and said, 'That which thou hast spoken is good to be done.' And then I took the heads of your tribes, men of wisdom and that were expert, and made them rulers over you: captains over thousands and over hundreds, over fifty and over ten, and officers among your tribes.

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabiters of our country spake to us saying, 'Take victuals with you to serve by the way, and go against them, and say unto them: We are your servants.' Now therefore make a covenant of peace with us.

A poor child being wise, is better than an old king that doteth, and cannot beware in time to come. Someone cometh out of prison, and is made a king; and another which is born in the kingdom, cometh unto poverty.

Woe be unto thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is but a child, and whose princes are early at their banquets.

But well is thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is come of nobles, and whose princes eat in due season, for strength and not for lust.

And then Samuel took a box of oil and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, "The LORD hath anointed thee to be a captain over his inheritance.

But the LORD had told Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, "Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin: him shalt thou anoint to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines, for I have looked upon my people and their cry is come unto me." When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD answered him, "See, this is the man whom I spake to thee of. This same shall reign over my people."

Where the righteous have the over hand, the people are in prosperity; but where the ungodly beareth rule, there the people mourn.

A wise man's counsel that is followed in silence, is far above the crying of a captain among fools.

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king, and keep no company with them that slide back from his fear: For their destruction shall come suddenly, and who knoweth the fall of them both?

Then all this was performed, the rulers came to me, and said, "The people of Israel, and the priests, and Levites are not separated from the nations in the lands as touching their abominations, namely of the Cananites, Hittites, Perezites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

And that whosoever came not within three days, according to the device of the rulers and Elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and be put out from the congregation of the captive. Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem in three days, that is on the twentieth day of the ninth month: and all the people sat in the street before of the house of God, and trembled because of this matter, and for the rain. And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, "Ye have transgressed, that have taken strange wives, to make the trespass of Israel yet more: read more.
confess now therefore unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure, and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives." Then answered all the congregation and said with a loud voice, "Let it be done as thou hast said. But the people are many, and it is a rainy weather; and the people are too faint to tarry without in the street - neither is this a work of one day or two, for we are many that have offended in this transgression. Let us appoint our rulers therefore in all the congregation, that all they which have taken strange wives in our cities, may come at the time appointed - and the elders of every city and their judges with them - till the wrath of our God be turned away from us for this offense."

Then all the elders of Israel gathered them together and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, "Behold, thou art old and thy sons follow not thy ways. Now, therefore, make us a king to judge us, as all other nations have." But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. read more.
And the LORD said unto Samuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee. For they have not cast thee away, but me: that I should not reign over them. And as they have ever done - since I brought them out of Egypt unto this day, and have forsaken me and served other gods - even so do they unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet, testify unto them and show them the duty of the king that shall reign over them." And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked a king of him,

Nevertheless, the people would not hear the voice of Samuel, but did say, "Nay, not so: But there shall be a king over us, and we will be like all other nations. And our king shall judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles." And Samuel heard all the words of the people and rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. read more.
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Hearken unto their voice and make them a king." Then said Samuel unto the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

The ungodly fleeth, no man chasing him; but the righteous standeth stiff as a lion. Because of sin the land doth oft change her prince; but through men of understanding and wisdom a realm endureth long.

And Saul heard of it: for David was known, and also the men that were with him. And as Saul sat in Gibeah under a grove upon a high bank with his spear in his hand and all his men about him,

And Saul said, "Hear, thou son of Ahitub." And he said, "Here I am, my lord." Then said Saul to him, "Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, insomuch that thou hast given him victuals and a sword, and hast asked counsel of God for him that he should arise against me and lie await as it is come to pass this day?" And Ahimelech answered the king, and said, "Who is so faithful among all thy servants as David and thereto the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is had in honour in thine house? read more.
Have I this day begun first to ask counsel of God for him? God forbid that from me: let not the king put such a thing unto his servant and on all the house of my father. For thy servant knoweth nothing of all this, either less or more." But for all that, the king said, "Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech; both thou and all thy father's house." Then said the king unto his footmen that stood about him, "Turn and slay the priests of the LORD, both because their hand is with David and because they knew when David fled and showed it not to me." But the servants of the king would not move their hands, to run upon the priests of the LORD. Then said the king to Doeg, "Turn thou and smite the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned and ran upon the priests, and slew that same day four score and five persons that did wear each man a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, he smote with the edge of the sword: both man and woman, child and suckling, with ox, ass and sheep.

And the cities shall be to flee from the executer of blood, that he which killed die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the executer of blood in such cases. And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the judge of blood, and shall restore him again unto the franchised city whither he was fled. And he shall bide there unto the death of the high priest which was anointed with holy oil.

The seat of the king that faithfully judgeth the poor, shall continue sure for ever more.

Where the prince is without understanding, there is great oppression and wrong; but if he be such one as hateth covetousness, he shall long reign.

A diligent hand shall bear rule; but the idle shall be under tribute.

If a prince delight in lies, all his servants are ungodly.

the king answered the people churlishly and left the advice that old men gave him:

And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, and said, "What counsel give ye to answer this people withal?" And they said unto him, "If thou shalt be a servant unto this people this day and serve them and answer them and speak kind words to them: they will be thy servants forever." But he forsook the counsel that the old men had given him, and counselled with the young men that were nourished up with him and had waited on him.

Where the righteous have the over hand, the people are in prosperity; but where the ungodly beareth rule, there the people mourn.

Then said Saul, "God do so and so to me, except that thou die Jonathan." But the people said unto Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, which hath so mightily helped Israel? God forbid. As truly as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground: for he hath wrought with God this day." And so the people delivered Jonathan, that he died not.

And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, one Hadad, an Edomite and of the king's lineage of Edom.

And God stirred up another adversary, one Rezon the son of Eliada, which fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah his master.

And when all the people were gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, the princes of Judah heard of this rumor, and they came soon out of the king's Palace into the house of the LORD, and sat them down before the new door of the LORD. Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the rulers and to all the people, these words, "This man is worthy to die, for he hath preached against this city, as ye yourselves have heard with your ears." Then said Jeremiah unto the rulers and to all the people, "The LORD hath sent me to preach against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. read more.
Therefore amend your ways, and your advisements, and be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God: so shall the LORD repent of the plague, that he had devised against you. Now as for me: I am in your hands. Do with me, as ye think expedient and good. But this shall ye know: if ye put me to death, ye shall make yourselves, this city and all the inhabiters thereof, guilty of innocent blood. For this is of a truth: that the LORD hath sent me unto you, to speak all these words in your ears." Then said the rulers and the people unto the priests and prophets, "This man may not be condemned to death, for he hath preached unto us in the name of the LORD our God." The Elders also of the land stood up, and said thus unto all the people, "Micah the Morasthite, which was a prophet under Hezekiah king of Judah, spake to all the people of Judah, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall be a heap of stones, and the hill of the LORD's house shall be turned to a high wood.' Did Hezekiah king of Judah and the people of Judah put him to death for this? No verily, but rather feared the LORD, and made their prayer unto him. For the which cause also the LORD repented of the plague, that he had devised against them. Should we then do such a shameful deed against our souls?" There was a prophet also, that preached stiffly in the name of the LORD, called Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriathjearim: this man preached also against this city and against this land, according to all as Jeremiah sayeth. Now when Jehoiakim the king with all the estate and princes had heard his words, the king went about to slay him. When Uriah perceived that, he was afraid, and fled, and departed into Egypt. Then Jehoiakim the king sent servants in to the land of Egypt; Namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt. Which fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto king Jehoiakim that slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the common people's grave. But Ahikam the son of Shaphan helped Jeremiah, that he came not into the hands of the people to be slain.

For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.

See that ye honour all men. Love brotherly fellowship, fear God, and honour the King.

Then was the LORD angry with Solomon because his heart turned from the LORD God of Israel which appeared unto him twice, and gave him a charge of this thing that he should not follow other gods. But he kept not that which the LORD commanded him: whereupon the LORD said to Solomon, "Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept mine covenant and mine ordinances which I have commanded thee, therefore I will rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. read more.
Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it, because of David thy father: but I will take it from thy son. Howbeit I will not take away all: but will give one tribe to thy son, because of David my servant and because of Jerusalem which I have chosen."

Then Joseph said unto Pharaoh, "Both Pharaoh's dreams are one. And God doth show Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years: and the seven good ears are seven years also, and is but one dream. Likewise, the seven thin and evil favored cows that came out after them, are seven years: and the seven empty and blasted ears shall be seven years of hunger. read more.
This is that which I said unto Pharaoh, that God doth show Pharaoh what he is about to do. "Behold, there shall come seven years of great plenteousness throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them seven years of hunger. So that all the plenteousness shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt. And the hunger shall consume the land: so that the plenteousness shall not be once a seen in the land, by reason of that hunger that shall come after, for it shall be exceeding great. And as concerning that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh the second time, it betokeneth that the thing is certainly prepared of God, and that God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore, let Pharaoh provide for a man of understanding and wisdom, and set him over the land of Egypt. And let Pharaoh make officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years and let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up corn under the power of Pharaoh: that there may be food in the cities, and there let them keep it: that there may be food in store in the land, against the seven years of hunger which shall come in the land of Egypt, and that the land perish not through hunger." And the saying pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Then said Pharaoh unto his servants, "Where shall we find such a man as this is, that hath the spirit of God in him?" Wherefore Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is no man of understanding nor of wisdom like unto thee. Thou therefore shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people obey: only in the king's seat will I be above thee." And he said unto Joseph, "Behold, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." And he took off his ring from his finger, and put it upon Joseph's finger, and he arrayed him in raiment of byss, and put a golden chain about his neck, and set him upon the best chariot that he had, save one. And they cried before him "Abrech!" And that Pharaoh had made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "I am Pharaoh; without thy will, shall no man lift up either his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." And he called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah. And he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. Then went Joseph abroad in the land of Egypt. And he was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And then Joseph departed from Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years they made sheaves, and gathered up all the food of the seven plenteous years which were in the land of Egypt and put it into the cities. And he put the food of the fields that grew round about every city, even in the same. And Joseph laid up corn in store, like unto the sand of the sea in multitude out of measure, until he left numbering: For it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of hunger came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On, bare unto him. And he called the name of the first son Manasseh, "For God," said he, "hath made me forget all my labour and all my father's household." The second called he Ephraim, "For God," said he, "hath caused me to grow in the land of my trouble." And when the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended, then came the seven years of dearth, according as Joseph had said. And the dearth was in all lands: but in the land of Egypt was there yet food. When now all the land of Egypt began to hunger, then cried the people to Pharaoh for bread. And Pharaoh said unto all Egypt, "Go unto Joseph, and what he saith to you, that do." And when the dearth was throughout all the land, Joseph opened all that was in the cities, and sold unto the Egyptians. And hunger waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came to Egypt, to Joseph, for to buy corn: because that the hunger was so sore in all lands.

And immediately the king sent the hangman and commanded his head to be brought in. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger and gave it to the maiden, and the maiden gave it to her mother.

And the multitude cried out, and the people wept throughout that night, and all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron. And the whole congregation said unto them, "Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt, either we would that we had died in this wilderness. Wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land to fall upon the sword, that both our wives, and also our children should be a prey? Is it not better that we return unto Egypt again?" read more.
And they said, one to another, "Let us make a captain and return unto Egypt again." And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the congregation of the multitude of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes and spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, "The land which we walked through to search it, is a very good land. If the LORD have lust to us, he will bring us into this land and give it us, which is a land that floweth with milk and honey. But in any wise, rebel not against the LORD. Moreover fear ye not the people of the land, for they are but bread for us. Their shield is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not therefore." And all the whole multitude bade stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of witness, unto all the children of Israel.

Then the king of Israel sent for the elders of the land and said, "Take heed I pray you and see, how this fellow goeth about mischief. For he sent unto me, for my wives and my children, and my silver and my gold: and I denied him nothing of it." And all the elders of Israel and all the people said, "Hearken not to him nor consent."

And the third year of his reign he sent, of his lords: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah: and with them, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, Levites: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

Then he said, "I have sinned. But yet honour me before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may pray unto the LORD thy God."

the LORD appeared unto him again, as he appeared to him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, "I have heard thy prayer and intercession that thou madest before me, and have hallowed this house which thou hast built, to put my name there forever and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in pureness of heart and plainness, to do all that I have commanded thee, and shalt keep mine ordinances and customs: read more.
then I will establish the seat of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, 'Thou shalt not be without one or other upon the seat of Israel.' But and if ye and your children shall turn away from after me, and shall not keep mine ordinances which I have set before you, but shall go and serve other gods and bow yourselves unto them: then I will weed Israel out of the land which I have given them. And this house which I have hallowed for my name, I will put out of my sight. And Israel shall be a proverb and a fable unto all nations. And this house which is so high, all that pass by it shall be astonished and shall hiss and say, 'Why hath the LORD dealt on this manner with this land and with this house?' And it shall be answered then, 'Because they forsook the LORD their God which brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods and have stooped unto him and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.'"

And the LORD magnified Solomon on high, in the sight of all Israel, and gave him so glorious a kingdom as none of all that were kings before in Israel had.

And king David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, "Speak unto the elders of Judah and say, 'Why should ye be the last that should bring again the king to his house, seeing that such tidings is come from all Israel unto the king, even to his house?

And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, "Now this company hath licked up all that are round about us, as an ox licketh up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

And the elders of Moab went with the elders of Midian, and the reward of the soothsaying in their hands. And they came unto Balaam and told him the words of Balak.

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the chief chamberlain, that he should bring him certain of the children of Israel, that were come of the king's seed and of princes, young springaldes without any blemish, but fair and well favored, instructed in all wisdom, cunning and understanding: which were able to stand in the king's palace, to read and to learn for to speak Chaldeish. Unto these, the king appointed a certain portion of his own meat, and of the wine which he drank himself, so to nourish them three years: that afterward they might stand before the king. read more.
Among these now were certain of the children of Judah: namely Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Unto these the chief chamberlain gave other names, and called Daniel, Balteshazzar; Hananiah, Shadrach; Mishael, Meshach; and Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel was at a point with himself, that he would not be defiled through the king's meat, nor the wine which he drunk. And this he desired of the chief chamberlain, lest he should defile himself. So God gave Daniel favour and grace before the chief chamberlain, that he said unto him, "I am afraid of my lord the king, which hath appointed you your meat and drink: lest he spy your faces to be worse liking than the other springaldes of your age, and so ye shall make me lose my head unto the king." Then Daniel answered Melzar, whom the chief chamberlain had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and said, "O prove but ten days with thy servants, and let us have pottage to eat, and water to drink: Then look upon our faces, and theirs that eat of the king's meat. And as thou seest, so deal with thy servants." So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And after the ten days, their faces were better liking and fatter, than all the young springaldes, which ate of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away their meat and wine, and gave them pottage therefore. God gave now these four springaldes cunning and learning in all scripture and wisdom: but unto Daniel specially, he gave understanding of all visions and dreams. Now when the time was expired, that the king had appointed to bring in these young springaldes unto him: the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar, and the king communed with them. But among them all were found none such as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king, which in all wisdom and matters of understanding that he enquired of them, found them ten times better than all the soothsayers and charmers that were in all his realm.

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose him, wherefore he called him the oftener, and communed with him.

And the saying pleased Absalom well and all the elders of Israel.

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabiters of our country spake to us saying, 'Take victuals with you to serve by the way, and go against them, and say unto them: We are your servants.' Now therefore make a covenant of peace with us.

{Kuf} I called for my lovers, but they beguiled me; for my Priests and counselors, but they perished: even while they sought for meat, to save their lives.

Behold, the eyes of the LORD are upon the realm that sinneth, to root it clean out of the earth: Nevertheless I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, sayeth the LORD.

and chose active men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty and over ten.

And I said unto you the same season, 'I am not able to bear you myself alone. For the LORD your God hath multiplied you: so that ye are this day as the stars of heaven in number.' - The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you as he hath promised you - read more.
'How,' said I, 'can I myself alone bear the cumbrance, charge, and strife that is among you? Bring therefore men of wisdom and of understanding and expert, known among your tribes, that I may make them rulers over you.' And ye answered me, and said, 'That which thou hast spoken is good to be done.' And then I took the heads of your tribes, men of wisdom and that were expert, and made them rulers over you: captains over thousands and over hundreds, over fifty and over ten, and officers among your tribes. And I charged your judges the same time, saying, 'Hear your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him. See that ye know no man in judgment: but hear the small as well as the great and be afraid of no man, for the judgment is God's. And the cause that is too hard for you, bring unto me and I will hear it.'