for it is a ministerof Godto you for good.But ifyou dowhatis evil,be afraid;for it does not bearthe swordfor nothing;for it is a ministerof God,an avengerwho brings wrathon the one who practicesevil.
"Blessedbe the LORDyour Godwhodelightedin you to setyou on the throneof Israel;because the LORDlovedIsraelforever,therefore He madeyou king,to dojusticeand righteousness."
He saidto the judges,"Considerwhatyou are doing,for you do not judgefor manbut for the LORDwho is with you when you renderjudgment.
The furyof a kingis [like] messengersof death,But a wisemanwill appeaseit.
The terrorof a kingis like the growlingof a lion;He who provokeshim to angerforfeitshis own life.
A wisekingwinnowsthe wicked,And drivesthe [threshing] wheeloverthem.
A kingwho sitson the throneof justiceDispersesallevilwith his eyes.
Learnto dogood;Seekjustice,Reprovethe ruthless,Defendthe orphan,Pleadfor the widow.
They are fat,they are sleek,They alsoexcelin deedsof wickedness;They do not pleadthe cause,The causeof the orphan,that they may prosper;And they do not defendthe rightsof the poor.
"Her princeswithinher are like wolvestearingthe prey,by sheddingblood[and] destroyinglivesin orderto getdishonestgain.
"I will layMy vengeanceon Edomby the handof My peopleIsrael.Therefore, they will actin Edomaccording to My angerand according to My wrath;thus they will knowMy vengeance,"declaresthe LordGOD.
Nowhearthis,headsof the houseof JacobAnd rulersof the houseof Israel,Who abhorjusticeAnd twisteverythingthat is straight,
Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath[of God], for it is written,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY,"saysthe Lord.
For becauseof thisyou alsopaytaxes,for [rulers] are servantsof God,devoting themselvesto thisverything.
[and] that noman transgressand defraudhis brotherin the matterbecausethe Lordis [the] avengerin allthese things,justas we alsotold you beforeand solemnly warned[you].
Now ifthe avengerof bloodpursueshim, then they shall not deliverthe manslayerinto his hand,becausehe struckhis neighborwithoutpremeditationand did not hatehim beforehand.
Thesewere the appointedcitiesfor allthe sonsof Israeland for the strangerwho sojournsamongthem, that whoeverkillsany personunintentionallymay fleethere,and not dieby the handof the avengerof blooduntilhe standsbeforethe congregation.
orto governorsas sentby him for the punishmentof evildoersand the praiseof those who do right.
