But the earlier governors— those preceding me— placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

在我以前的省长加重百姓的担子，每日索要粮食和酒，并银子四十舍客勒，就是他们的仆人也辖制百姓；但我因敬畏神不这样行。

在我以前的省长加重百姓的负担，向百姓索取粮食和酒，以及四十舍客勒银子，甚至他们的仆人也辖制百姓，但我因敬畏上帝不这样做。

在我以前的省长加重百姓的负担，向百姓索取粮食和酒，以及四十舍客勒银子，甚至他们的仆人也辖制百姓，但我因敬畏神不这样做。

在我之前的省长使民众负担沉重，天天索取食物、酒及五百克银子。他们的仆人也欺压民众，但我因敬畏上帝而没有这样做。

在我们以先的前任省长，重压人民，每日都向他们索取粮食和酒，以及四百五十六克银子。连他们的仆人也辖制人民，但我因为敬畏神，就不这样行。

在我以前的省長加重百姓的擔子，每日索要糧食和酒，並銀子四十舍客勒，就是他們的僕人也轄制百姓；但我因敬畏神不這樣行。

在我以前的省長加重百姓的負擔，向百姓索取糧食和酒，以及四十舍客勒銀子，甚至他們的僕人也轄制百姓，但我因敬畏上帝不這樣做。

在我以前的省長加重百姓的負擔，向百姓索取糧食和酒，以及四十舍客勒銀子，甚至他們的僕人也轄制百姓，但我因敬畏神不這樣做。

在我之前的省長使民眾負擔沉重，天天索取食物、酒及五百克銀子。他們的僕人也欺壓民眾，但我因敬畏上帝而沒有這樣做。

在我們以先的前任省長，重壓人民，每日都向他們索取糧食和酒，以及四百五十六克銀子。連他們的僕人也轄制人民，但我因為敬畏神，就不這樣行。

但我以前的頭幾任巡撫都加重了人民的負擔，每日都向他們索取了糧食和酒、和四十舍客勒銀子；連他們的僮僕對人民也作威作福。但我呢，我因敬畏上帝、就不這樣行。

前方伯責民供億、日索糈糧與酒、銀四十舍客勒、僕從亦從而挾制之、我寅畏上帝不行是、

舊方伯橫征閭閻、日得餅與酒、金二十兩、僕從亦從而挾制之、我畏上帝、不敢若是。

在我以前之舊方伯、向民索供給、日索糧與酒、並銀四十舍客勒、日索糧與酒並銀四十舍客勒或作為糧為酒日索銀四十舍客勒僕從亦勒詐於民、亦勒詐於民或作亦挾制民我敬畏天主、不敢如是以行、

But there had been governors before me. They had put a heavy load on the people. They had taken a pound of silver from each of them. They had also taken food and wine from them. Their officials had acted like high and mighty rulers over them. But because of my great respect for God, I didn’t act like that.

The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.

But the previous governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of my fear of God.

But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God.

But the former governors that[ had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.

But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

So I continued,“ What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?

the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

But even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the person who was sacrificing,“ Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”If the person said to him,“ Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would answer,“ No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.”This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.

How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.

He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.

He said:“ In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea,‘ Grant me justice against my adversary.’“ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself,‘ Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,