As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.2 Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.11 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
This is the will of God: Look at the situation of the kingdoms and empires as arranged by God, in whose hand the heart of the king lies. Every day they plan for future income, from the registration of property, taxes in kind, gifts and taxes payable in money. But never up to this time has there been procured any such income by bringing the Christians under some sales tax for the person and the sect, when that could be a tremendous source of income because of our vast numbers, known to all. We are bought with blood, we are paid for in blood, we owe no money for our head, because Christ is our head. It is not fitting that Christ should cost us money. How could martyrdoms bring glory to God if by tribute we should pay for the liberty of our sect? And so, the one who bargains to have his freedom at a price goes counter to the divine dispensation.
The phrase "Thy kingdom come" also refers to the same end as "Thy will be done," namely, [that God's kingdom may come] in ourselves. For, when does God not reign, "in whose hand is the heart of every king"? But, whatever we wish for ourselves, we direct our hope toward him, and we attribute to him what we expect from him.… This is the prayer of Christians; this shall bring shame to the heathens; this shall bring joy to the angels. It is for the coming of this kingdom that we are harassed now, or rather, it is for this coming that we pray.
ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.44 So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever.
To sum up, David in the Psalms speaks about obedience: "How shall a young person keep his path straight?" The answer comes immediately: "By keeping your Word with his whole heart." Jeremiah says, "These are the Lord's words: do not follow the paths of the Gentiles."
And his mother and brethren came unto him; and they could not come at him for the crowd.20 And it was told him: Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.21 Who answering, said to them: My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word of God, and do it.
Our Lord had left His kinsfolk according to the flesh, and was occupied in His Father’s teaching. But when they began to feel His absence, they came unto Him, as it is said, Then came unto him his mother and his brethren. When you hear of our Lord’s brethren you must include also the notions of piety and grace. For no one in regard of His divine nature is the brother of the Saviour, (for He is the Only-begotten,) but He has, by the grace of piety, made us partakers in His flesh and His blood, and He who is by nature God has become our brother.
His brethren thought that when He heard of their presence He would send away the people, from respect to His mother’s name, and from His affection towards her, as it follows, And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)