Seekthe welfareof the citywhereI have sentyou into exile,and prayto the LORDon its behalf;for in its welfareyou will havewelfare.'
that they may offeracceptablesacrificesto the Godof heavenand prayfor the lifeof the kingand his sons.
"Whateveris commandedby the Godof heaven,let it be donewith zealfor the houseof the Godof heaven,sothat there will not be wrathagainstthe kingdomof the kingand his sons.
Prayfor the peaceof Jerusalem:"May they prosperwho loveyou.
Then the officialssaidto the king,"Nowlet thismanbe putto death,inasmuchas he is discouragingthe menof warwho are leftin thiscityand allthe people,by speakingsuchwordsto them; for thismanis not seekingthe well-beingof thispeoplebut rathertheir harm."
"Thereforesay,'Thussaysthe LordGOD,"ThoughI had removedthem faraway among the nationsand thoughI had scatteredthem among the countries,yet I was a sanctuaryfor them a littlewhilein the countrieswherethey had gone."'
"ThenDaniel,whosenameis Belteshazzar,was appalledfor a whileas his thoughtsalarmedhim. The kingrespondedand said,'Belteshazzar,do not let the dreamor its interpretationalarmyou.' Belteshazzarreplied,My lord,[if only] the dreamapplied to those who hateyou and its interpretationto your adversaries!
Therefore,O king,may my advicebe pleasingto you: breakawaynow from your sinsby [doing] righteousnessand from your iniquitiesby showingmercyto [the] poor,in casethere may be a prolongingof your prosperity.'
Everypersonis to be in subjectionto the governingauthorities.For there is noauthorityexceptfrom God,and thosewhich existare establishedby God.
Thereforeit is necessaryto be in subjection,not onlybecauseof wrath,but alsofor conscience'sake.
