³ 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.

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

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.

⁴ 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.

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

The Ironies of Life

⁵ There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake ⁶ when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.

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.