⁴ By justice a king gives a country stability,^(A)
    but those who are greedy for^[a] bribes tear it down.

¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.^(A)

⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,^(A)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.^(B)

¹³ “Woe^(A) to him who builds^(B) his palace by unrighteousness,
    his upper rooms by injustice,
making his own people work for nothing,
    not paying^(C) them for their labor.
¹⁴ He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace^(D)
    with spacious upper rooms.’
So he makes large windows in it,
    panels it with cedar^(E)
    and decorates it in red.^(F)

¹⁵ “Does it make you a king
    to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
    He did what was right and just,^(G)
    so all went well^(H) with him.
¹⁶ He defended the cause of the poor and needy,^(I)
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know^(J) me?”
    declares the Lord.
¹⁷ “But your eyes and your heart
    are set only on dishonest gain,^(K)
on shedding innocent blood^(L)
    and on oppression and extortion.”^(M)

“In the time of my favor^(A) I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you;^(B)
I will keep^(C) you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people,^(D)
to restore the land^(E)
    and to reassign its desolate inheritances,^(F)

⁷ Of the greatness of his government^(A) and peace^(B)
    there will be no end.^(C)
He will reign^(D) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice^(E) and righteousness^(F)
    from that time on and forever.^(G)
The zeal^(H) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

¹² Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.^(A)