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.

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 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.

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 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.

Then I pressed further,“ What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?

No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Sometimes the servant would come even before the animal’s fat had been burned on the altar. He would demand raw meat before it had been boiled so that it could be used for roasting.The man offering the sacrifice might reply,“ Take as much as you want, but the fat must be burned first.” Then the servant would demand,“ No, give it to me now, or I’ll take it by force.”So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt.

The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.

Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.

He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants.

“ There was a judge in a certain city,” he said,“ who neither feared God nor cared about people.A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying,‘ Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself,‘ I don’t fear God or care about people,