Rulers

“You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry the message, and a winged creature may report the matter.

“This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation.

Your Majesty, you are king of kings. The God of the heavens has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.

Wherever people live — or wild animals, or birds of the sky — he has handed them over to you and made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold.

This word is by decree of the watchers, and the decision is by command from the holy ones. This is so that the living will know that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms. He gives them to anyone he wants and sets the lowliest of people over them.

Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you.

Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many.

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but it is not yet the end.

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

“But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to local courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them.

And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations.

So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold, arrogant people! They are not afraid to slander the glorious ones;