Bible Verses About Rulers

If a king steadfastly gives justice to the poor, his throne will be secure forever.

Three things make the earth quake, four things it can't bear -

a slave who becomes king, a boor gorged with food,

It is not for kings, L'mu'el, not for kings to drink wine; it is not for rulers to ask, "Where can I find strong liquor?"

For they may drink, then forget what has been decreed, and pervert the justice due to the poor.

Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate.

Speak up, judge righteously, defend the cause of the poor and the needy.

Another thing I observed under the sun: There, in the same place as justice, was wickedness; there, in the same place as righteousness, was wickedness.

I said to myself, "The righteous and the wicked God will judge, because there is a right time for every intention and for every action."

But I turned away and thought about all the kinds of oppression being done under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them. The power was on the side of their oppressors, and they had no one to comfort them.

Better a youth who is poor but wise than a king who is old but foolish, no longer willing to listen to advice.

True, he rose from prison to be king; yet, while ruling, he became poor.

If you see the poor oppressed, rights violated and justice perverted in the province, don't be surprised; for a high official has one higher watching him, and there are others above them.

After all, his word is final; who can challenge him, "Why are you doing that?"

All this I have seen, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun when one person tyrannizes another.

Another evil I have seen under the sun, the kind of mistake rulers make, is that

fools are promoted to high positions, while the rich occupy humble places.

I have seen servants riding horses, while princes walk on foot like slaves.

Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your leaders start their parties in the morning!

Happy are you, land, when your king is well-born, and your princes eat at the proper time, in order to stay strong, not to get drunk!

Your leaders are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They give no justice to orphans, the widow's complaint doesn't catch their attention.

My people - children oppress them, and women are ruling over them. My people! Your guides lead you astray and obliterate the paths you should follow.

ADONAI presents the indictment against the leaders and officers of his people: "It is you who devour the vineyard; in your houses is plunder taken from the poor.

What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding down the faces of the poor?" says Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot.

Now the vineyard of ADONAI-Tzva'ot is the house of Isra'el, and the men of Y'hudah are the plant he delighted in. So he expected justice, but look - bloodshed! - and righteousness, but listen - cries of distress!