obama

⁸May his days be few, and let another take his episcopate.

²When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.

¹And so I beg you, first of all, to make supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for all men, ²for kings, and for all who are in high places, so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity.

¹Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. ²And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. ³For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. ⁴For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. ⁵For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. ⁶Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

¹³Therefore, be subject to every human creature because of God, whether it is to the king as preeminent, ¹⁴or to leaders as having been sent from him for vindication over evildoers, it is truly for the praise of what is good. ¹⁵For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may bring about the silence of imprudent and ignorant men, ¹⁶in an open manner, and not as if cloaking malice with liberty, but like servants of God. ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

²¹And he alters the times and the ages. He takes away kingdoms and he establishes them. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and teaching skills to those who understand.

²Our God is our refuge and strength, a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us. ³Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea. ⁴They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; the mountains have been disturbed by his strength. ⁵The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle. ⁶God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. God will assist it in the early morning. ⁷The peoples have been disturbed, and the kingdoms have been bowed down. He uttered his voice: the earth has been moved.

¹Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.

¹²Have you seen a man who seems wise to himself? There will be greater hope held for the unwise than for him.

¹The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, in order to make known to his servants the things that must soon occur, and which he signified by sending his Angel to his servant John;

¹¹And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them.

¹Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work,

¹Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.

¹³Zebulun will live at the seashore and by the outpost of ships, reaching as far as Sidon.

¹Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men.

¹⁵Through me, kings reign and legislators decree just conditions. ¹⁶Through me, princes rule and the powerful decree justice.

¹For I want you to know the kind of solicitude that I have for you, and for those who are at Laodicea, as well as for those who have not seen my face in the flesh. ²May their hearts be consoled and instructed in charity, with all the riches of a plenitude of understanding, with knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ Jesus. ³For in him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴Now I say this, so that no one may deceive you with grandiose words. ⁵For though I may be absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit. And I rejoice as I gaze upon your order and its foundation, which is in Christ, your faith. ⁶Therefore, just as you have received the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in him.

⁷And seek the peace of the city, to which I have caused you to be taken away, and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For your peace will be in its peace.

¹⁴and if my people, over whom my name has been invoked, being converted, will have petitioned me and sought my face, and will have done penance for their wicked ways, then I will heed them from heaven, and I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.