The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me,‘ A king must rule over people in a way that is right. He must have respect for God when he rules.

以色列的神、以色列的磐石晓谕我说：那以公义治理人民的，敬畏神执掌权柄，

以色列的上帝说，以色列的磐石向我说：‘那以公义治理人，以敬畏上帝来治理的，

以色列的神说，以色列的磐石向我说：‘那以公义治理人，以敬畏神来治理的，

以色列的上帝告诉我，以色列的磐石对我说，‘以公义治理人民，敬畏上帝的君王，

以色列的神说，以色列的磐石告诉我：那以公义统治人的，那存敬畏神的心施行统治的，

以色列的神、以色列的磐石曉諭我說：那以公義治理人民的，敬畏神執掌權柄，

以色列的上帝說，以色列的磐石向我說：『那以公義治理人，以敬畏上帝來治理的，

以色列的神說，以色列的磐石向我說：『那以公義治理人，以敬畏神來治理的，

以色列的上帝告訴我，以色列的磐石對我說，『以公義治理人民，敬畏上帝的君王，

以色列的神說，以色列的磐石告訴我：那以公義統治人的，那存敬畏神的心施行統治的，

雅各的上帝說道，以色列的磐石告訴我說：一個憑公義統治人的、一個存敬畏上帝之心來統治人的；

以色列的神發話，以色列的磐石對我說：「那以公義統治人民，存敬畏神的心施行統治的，

以色列之上帝有言、以色列之磐石謂我曰、以義治人、寅畏上帝、而秉權者、

以色列族至能之上帝許我曰、必有義主、畏上帝而治人。

以色列天主有言、以色列所恃之天主、原文作以色列之磐諭我曰、為人君者若義、秉權者若畏天主、

The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me:‘ When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,

The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me:‘ The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me,“ The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel said it; The Rock of Israel spoke to me:‘ He who rules over mankind righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me:‘ He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.

The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God,

The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me,“ The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men[ must be] just, ruling in the fear of God.

The God of Israel spoke, the protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me,‘ One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

Who is God except the Lord? Who is the Rock except our God?

He also set up an altar there. He named it El Elohe Israel.

He is the Rock. His works are perfect. All his ways are right. He is faithful. He doesn’t do anything wrong. He is honest and fair.

He said,“ The Lord is my rock and my fort. He is the God who saves me.My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me. He’s my place of safety. I go to him for help. He’s my Savior. He saves me from those who want to hurt me.

But choose men of ability from all the people. They must have respect for God. You must be able to trust them. They must not try to get money by cheating others. Appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

A king will come who will do what is right. His officials will govern fairly.

And that’s not all. I was appointed as governor of Judah in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king of Persia. I remained in that position until his 32nd year. During those 12 years, I and my relatives didn’t eat the food that was provided for my table.

Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine.But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.’ That is what you must tell the Israelites.”

Have respect for the Lord. Judge carefully. He is always right. He treats everyone the same. Our God doesn’t want his judges to take money from people who want special favors.”In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat chose some Levites and priests. He also chose some leaders of Israelite families. He appointed all of them to apply the law of the Lord fairly. He wanted them to decide cases. He wanted them to settle matters between people. All those judges lived in Jerusalem.Here are the orders Jehoshaphat gave them. He said,“ Have respect for the Lord. Serve him faithfully. Do it with all your heart.

“ City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has won the victory. He is humble and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey’s colt.

I say to God my Rock,“ Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around in sorrow? Why am I treated so badly by my enemies?”

Stand up for the weak and for children whose fathers have died. Protect the rights of people who are poor or treated badly.Save those who are weak and needy. Save them from the power of sinful people.

The Lord will make your royal authority spread out from Zion to other lands. He says,“ Rule over your enemies who are all around you.”

May he rule your people in the right way. May he be fair to those among your people who are hurting.

Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.

How could one person chase a thousand? How could two make ten thousand run away? It couldn’t happen unless their Rock had deserted them. It couldn’t take place unless the Lord had given them up.Their rock is not like our Rock. Even our enemies know that.

But here is what he says about the Son.“ You are God. Your throne will last for ever and ever. Your kingdom will be ruled by justice.

Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down. A new little tree will grow from its stump. From its roots a Branch will grow and produce fruit.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on that Branch. The Spirit will help him to be wise and understanding. The Spirit will help him make wise plans and carry them out. The Spirit will help him know the Lord and have respect for him.The Branch will take delight in respecting the Lord. He will not judge things only by the way they look. He won’t make decisions based simply on what people say.He will always do what is right when he judges those who are in need. He’ll be completely fair when he makes decisions about poor people. When he commands that people be punished, it will happen. When he orders that evil people be put to death, it will take place.He will put on godliness as if it were his belt. He’ll wear faithfulness around his waist.

“ I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. That is the land where you were slaves.

Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes. Do it in every town the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.Do what is right. Treat everyone the same. Don’t take money from people who want special favors. It makes those who are wise close their eyes to the truth. It twists the words of those who have done nothing wrong.Do only what is right. Then you will live. You will take over the land the Lord your God is giving you.

“ Be fair to your poor people in their court cases.Do not have anything to do with a false charge. Do not put to death people not guilty of doing anything wrong. I will not let guilty people go free.“ Do not take money from people who want special favors. It makes you blind to the truth. It twists the words of good people.

“ A new day is coming,” announces the Lord.“ At that time I will raise up for David’s royal line a godly Branch. He will be a King who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land.

God also said to Moses,“ Say to the Israelites,‘ The Lord is the God of your fathers. He has sent me to you. He is the God of Abraham. He is the God of Isaac. And he is the God of Jacob.’ My name will always be The Lord. Call me this name for all time to come.