Rulers: Character and Qualifications of

Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”

You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. …

‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

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

…is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.

Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. …

A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. …

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

…lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,

…who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.

…in loving devotion a throne will be established in the tent of David. A judge seeking justice and hastening righteousness will sit on it in faithfulness.

…a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler.

Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”

…if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. …

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

…for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,

…or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.