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Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ,. so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Let not the wife depart from her husband: but if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence, and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

I will that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame-facedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh

wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

CHAP. XXI.

DUTIES OF MAGISTRATES AND CITIZENS.

He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers.

Where no counsel is the people fall but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Be wise, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Thus saith the Lord; execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood.

Iexhort that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people. Curse not the King, no, not in thy thought: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Honour the king. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work.

ers.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powFor there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same :

for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's.

Jesus saith unto him, Lest we should offend them, take that piece of money, and give unto them for me and thee.

An evil man seeketh only rebellion.

These filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

The Lord knoweth how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Woe u to them that decree unrighteous decrees!

Great men are not always wise.

The prince that wanteth understanding is also. a great oppressor.

Shall he that hateth right govern?

Surely, oppression maketh a wise man mad. I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; aud on the side of the oppressors there was power; and they had no comforter, Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living.

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Saul answered, thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. And the people said unto Saul, shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

The king said unto the footmen that stood about him, turn and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and be cause they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.

All the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king bad so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

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