³ For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,

¹ `When there is a strife between men, and they have come nigh unto the judgment, and they have judged, and declared righteous the righteous, and declared wrong the wrong-doer,

³⁵ The favour of a king `is' to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!

² The fear of a king `is' a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.

⁴ If the spirit of the ruler go up against thee, Thy place leave not, For yielding quieteth great sinners.

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,

⁶ He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.

¹⁵ Dost thou reign, because thou art fretting thyself in cedar? Thy father -- did he not eat and drink? Yea, he did judgment and righteousness, Then `it is' well with him.

¹⁶ He decided the cause of the poor and needy, Then `it is' well -- is it not to know Me? An affirmation of Jehovah.

¹⁷ But thine eyes and thy heart are not, Except on thy dishonest gain, And on shedding of innocent blood, And on oppression, and on doing of violence.

¹⁸ Therefore, thus said Jehovah concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: They do not lament for him, Ah, my brother, and Ah, sister, They do not lament for him, Ah, lord, and Ah, his honour.

⁴ for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.

¹³ and who `is' he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?

¹⁴ but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy `are ye'! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled,

¹³ Be subject, then, to every human creation, because of the Lord, whether to a king, as the highest,

¹⁴ whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good;