He put up an altar there and named it for El, the God of Israel.

Tell the Israelites that I, the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have sent you to them. This is my name forever; this is what all future generations are to call me.

Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people,

a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests."

"I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves.

The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress.

The LORD alone is God; God alone is our defense.

"The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair.

Why were a thousand defeated by one, and ten thousand by only two? The LORD, their God, had abandoned them; their mighty God had given them up.

Their enemies know that their own gods are weak, not mighty like Israel's God.

To God, my defender, I say, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?"

From Zion the LORD will extend your royal power. "Rule over your enemies," he says.

"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

"Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.

Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans; be fair to the needy and the helpless.

Rescue them from the power of evil people.

Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."

he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die.

He will rule his people with justice and integrity.

Some day there will be a king who rules with integrity, and national leaders who govern with justice.

The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land.

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

About the Son, however, God said: "Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever! You rule over your people with justice.

But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.

Honor the LORD and act carefully, because the LORD our God does not tolerate fraud or partiality or the taking of bribes."

He gave them the following instructions: "You must perform your duties in reverence for the LORD, faithfully obeying him in everything you do.

During all the twelve years that I was governor of the land of Judah, from the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was emperor until his thirty-second year, neither my relatives nor I ate the food I was entitled to have as governor.