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33  The Lord turns rivers into wilderness ♦︎
   and water springs into thirsty ground;
34  A fruitful land he makes a salty waste, ♦︎
   because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35  He makes the wilderness a pool of water ♦︎
   and water springs out of a thirsty land.
36  There he settles the hungry ♦︎
   and they build a city to dwell in.
37  They sow fields and plant vineyards ♦︎
   and bring in a fruitful harvest.
38  He blesses them, so that they multiply greatly; ♦︎
   he does not let their herds of cattle decrease.
39  He pours contempt on princes ♦︎
   and makes them wander in trackless wastes.
40  They are diminished and brought low, ♦︎
   through stress of misfortune and sorrow,
41  But he raises the poor from their misery ♦︎
   and multiplies their families like flocks of sheep.
42  The upright will see this and rejoice, ♦︎
   but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43  Whoever is wise will ponder these things ♦︎
   and consider the loving-kindness of the Lord.

13 For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution,^* whether of the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. ¹⁶As servants^* of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. ¹⁷Honour everyone. Love the family of believers.^* Fear God. Honour the emperor.