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For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.

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For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(A)

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25 “Suppose two people take a dispute to court, and the judges declare that one is right and the other is wrong.

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25 When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges(A) will decide the case,(B) acquitting(C) the innocent and condemning the guilty.(D)

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Respecting People in Authority

13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

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13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(A) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(B) and to commend those who do right.(C)

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The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

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For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(A)

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15 But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
    Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
    That is why God blessed him.
16 He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
    and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
    says the Lord.
17 “But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
    You murder the innocent,
    oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”

18 Therefore, this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim, son of King Josiah:

“The people will not mourn for him, crying to one another,
    ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’
His subjects will not mourn for him, crying,
    ‘Alas, our master is dead! Alas, his splendor is gone!’

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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,(A)
    so all went well(B) with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,(C)
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know(D) me?”
    declares the Lord.
17 “But your eyes and your heart
    are set only on dishonest gain,(E)
on shedding innocent blood(F)
    and on oppression and extortion.”(G)

18 Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:

“They will not mourn(H) for him:
    ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’
They will not mourn for him:
    ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’

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If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit!
    A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

The Ironies of Life

There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.

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If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
    do not leave your post;(A)
    calmness can lay great offenses to rest.(B)

There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
    the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
Fools are put in many high positions,(C)
    while the rich occupy the low ones.

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The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;
    to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

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A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(A)
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.(B)

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35 A king rejoices in wise servants
    but is angry with those who disgrace him.

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35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(A)

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Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

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13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(A) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(B) “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12