Bible Verses About Rulers: Character and qualifications of

"Therefore, Pharaoh should look for a man both discreet and wise to put in charge of the land of Egypt.

But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Normally, they will settle the people's disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you.

You are not to receive a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clearsighted and subverts the cause of the righteous.

Pick for yourselves from each of your tribes men who are wise, understanding and knowledgeable; and I will make them heads over you.'

"You are to appoint judges and officers for all your gates [in the cities] ADONAI your God is giving you, tribe by tribe; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment.

You are not to distort justice or show favoritism, and you are not to accept a bribe, for a gift blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of even the upright.

Justice, only justice, you must pursue; so that you will live and inherit the land ADONAI your God is giving you.

"'A curse on anyone who interferes with justice for the foreigner, orphan or widow.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

The God of Isra'el spoke; the Rock of Isra'el said to me, 'A ruler over people must be upright, ruling in the fear of God;

like the morning light at sunrise on a cloudless day that makes the grass on the earth sparkle after a rain.

"And you, 'Ezra, making use of the wisdom you have from your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the territory beyond the River, that is, all who know the laws of your God; and you are to teach those who don't know them.

Therefore, kings, be wise; be warned, you judges of the earth.

Serve ADONAI with fear; rejoice, but with trembling.

By Shlomo: God, give the king your fairness in judgment, endow this son of kings with your righteousness,

so that he can govern your people rightly and your poor with justice.

May mountains and hills provide your people with peace through righteousness.

May he defend the oppressed among the people, save the needy and crush the oppressor.

May they fear you as long as the sun endures and as long as the moon, through all generations.

May he be like rain falling on mown grass, like showers watering the land.

In his days, let the righteous flourish and peace abound, till the moon is no more.

May his empire stretch from sea to sea, from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.

May desert-dwellers bow before him; may his enemies lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and the coasts will pay him tribute; the kings of Sh'va and S'va will offer gifts.

Yes, all kings will prostrate themselves before him; all nations will serve him.