That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.