When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.

Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

They prevent the poor from getting their rights and force the needy to run and hide.

In every city and province, wherever the king's proclamation was read, the Jews held a joyful holiday with feasting and happiness. In fact, many other people became Jews, because they were afraid of them now.

At once the angel of the Lord struck Herod down, because he did not give honor to God. He was eaten by worms and died.

Meanwhile the word of God continued to spread and grow.