1 Timothy 2:2
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2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.(A)
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Ezra 6:10
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10 so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his children.(A)
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1 Peter 2:9-13
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9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[a] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(A)
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.(B)
Live as Servants of God
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.[b](C) 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.[c](D)
13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority,[d] whether to the emperor as supreme(E)
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Jeremiah 29:7
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7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.(A)
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1 Thessalonians 4:11
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11 to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you,(A)
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Romans 13:1-7
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Being Subject to Authorities
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.(A) 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval,(B) 4 for it is God’s agent for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority[a] does not bear the sword in vain! It is the agent of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.(C) 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s agents, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
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- 13.4 Gk it
Proverbs 24:21
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Footnotes
- 24.21 Gk: Heb do not associate with those who change
Nehemiah 1:11
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11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”
At the time, I was cupbearer to the king.(A)
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2 Peter 1:3-7
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The Christian’s Call and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by[a] his own glory and excellence.(A) 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust and may become participants of the divine nature.(B) 5 For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge,(C) 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.
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- 1.3 Other ancient authorities read through
Hebrews 12:14
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Warnings against Rejecting God’s Grace
14 Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
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Titus 2:10-14
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10 not stealing, but showing complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the teaching of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,[a](A) 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,(B) 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior,[b] Jesus Christ.(C) 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.(D)
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Philippians 4:8
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8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[a] these things.
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- 4.8 Gk take account of
Romans 12:18
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18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.(A)
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Acts 24:16
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16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.(A)
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Acts 10:22
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22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous[a] and God-fearing man who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish people, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”(A)
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- 10.22 Or just
Luke 2:25
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25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.(A)
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Luke 1:6
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6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.(A)
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Ecclesiastes 8:2-5
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2 Keep[a] the king’s command, and because of your sacred oath(A) 3 do not be terrified; go from his presence; do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”(B) 5 Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will know the time and way.
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- 8.2 Heb I keep
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
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12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
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Psalm 72:1
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Psalm 72
Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King
Of Solomon.
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.(A)
Psalm 20:1-4
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Psalm 20
Prayer for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!(A)
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion.(B)
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah(C)
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.(D)
2 Samuel 20:19
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19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel; you seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel; why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?”(A)
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Genesis 49:14-15
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14 Issachar is a strong donkey,
lying down between the sheepfolds;
15 he saw that a resting place was good
and that the land was pleasant,
so he bowed his shoulder to the burden
and became a slave at forced labor.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.