Chapter 21

Duty of the King


1a

The king, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom and ruleth, shall write for him a copy of the Book of the Law, according to that which is before the Lord continually;

1b

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life;

1c

That the fear of the Lord his God be continually before him, and that he remember the Law, and forget not to administer justice and judgment throughout the earth;

1d

And that he turn not aside from the Commandment one way or the other; to the end that he prolong his days in the Kingdom, and of his children among the faithful.

2a

¶ He shall execute judgment among the people, and over the princes and rulers, and over all that sit in judgment:

2b

He shall deliver the poor, the needy, and the oppressed:

2c

And if their cry be faint, yet shall he hear;

2d

He shall be a father to the fatherless, and a husband to the widow, and a guardian to him who hath no protector.

3a

¶ He shall overthrow the rebellious, destroy traitors, and punish those that do wickedly.

3b

The haughty shall he make low, and the oppressor shall he tread down: those that exalt themselves, shall he abase.

4a

¶ The power of the Lord God, He giveth to him, to rule the nations, and to execute judgments among the children of men:

4b

He shall declare the Laws and Commandments; exercise his dominion; and cast a shield round about the children of his people; that his dominion be not taken from him forever.