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14 You say, “I will build a magnificent palace with huge rooms and many windows, paneled throughout with fragrant cedar and painted a lovely red.” 15 But a beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father Josiah reign so long? Because he was just and fair in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. 16 He saw to it that justice and help were given the poor and the needy and all went well for him. This is how a man lives close to God.

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14 He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace(A)
    with spacious upper rooms.’
So he makes large windows in it,
    panels it with cedar(B)
    and decorates it in red.(C)

15 “Does it make you a king
    to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
    He did what was right and just,(D)
    so all went well(E) with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,(F)
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know(G) me?”
    declares the Lord.

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