But the formergovernorswhowere beforeme laidburdenson the peopleand tookfrom them breadand winebesidesfortyshekelsof silver;eventheir servantsdomineeredthe people.But I did not dosobecauseof the fearof God.
Abrahamsaid,"BecauseI thought,surelythereis nofearof Godin thisplace,and they will killme becauseof my wife.
Now Josephsaidto them on the thirdday,"Dothisand live,for I fearGod:
I alsoappliedmyself to the workon thiswall;we did not buyany land,and allmy servantswere gatheredtherefor the work.
Again I said,"The thingwhichyou are doingis not good;should you not walkin the fearof our Godbecauseof the reproachof the nations,our enemies?
"For calamityfrom Godis a terrorto me, And becauseof His majestyI candonothing.
Praisethe LORD!How blessedis the manwho fearsthe LORD,Who greatlydelightsin His commandments.
The LORDfavorsthose who fearHim, Those who waitfor His lovingkindness.
By lovingkindnessand truthiniquityis atonedfor, And by the fearof the LORDone keepsawayfrom evil.
If a rulerpaysattentionto falsehood,Allhis ministers[become] wicked.
Whois among you that fearsthe LORD,That obeysthe voiceof His servant,That walksin darknessand hasnolight?Let him trustin the nameof the LORDand relyon his God.
"I boughtthe fieldwhichwas at Anathothfrom Hanamelmy uncle'sson,and I weighedout the silverfor him, seventeenshekelsof silver.
Slavesruleover us; Thereis nooneto deliverus from their hand.
"Ifyou greetonlyyour brothers,whatmoreare you doing[than others]? Do not eventhe Gentilesdothe same?
and when I was presentwith you and was in need,I was not a burdento anyone;for when the brethrencamefrom Macedoniathey fully suppliedmy need,and in everythingI keptmyselffrom being a burdento you, and will continueto do so.
For in whatrespect were you treated as inferiorto the restof the churches,exceptthat I myselfdid not become a burdento you? Forgiveme thiswrong!
"He will takea tenthof your seedand of your vineyardsand giveto his officersand to his servants.
