Nations

Nations are made by God, who sets their times and boundaries and rules over them, and righteousness exalts a nation. Believers are to pray for those in authority, seek the peace of the land where they live and honor its rulers, and make disciples of all nations, while their citizenship is in heaven.

God made and rules the nations

• Acts 17:26
  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.
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• Psalm 22:28
  For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations.For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.
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• Daniel 2:21
  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
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• Job 12:23
  He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.
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Righteousness exalts a nation

• Proverbs 14:34
  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
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• Psalm 33:12
  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!
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• Proverbs 29:2
  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
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• 2 Chronicles 7:14
  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
  Show context · Read 2 Chronicles 7 →

Seek the peace of the land

• Jeremiah 29:7
  And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
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• 1 Timothy 2:1-2
  ¹I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— ²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
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• Romans 13:1
  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
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• 1 Peter 2:17
  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
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Love for one's people

• Nehemiah 1:3-4
  ³And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” ⁴And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
  Show context · Read Nehemiah 1 →
• Psalm 122:6-7
  ⁶Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. ⁷Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
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• Romans 9:1-3
  ¹I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. ²That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
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Blessing for all nations

• Genesis 22:18
  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
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• Matthew 28:19
  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
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• Psalm 86:9
  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.
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• Revelation 7:9
  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
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Citizens of heaven

• Philippians 3:20
  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
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• Hebrews 13:14
  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
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See also

• Government
• Israel
• Taxes
• War
• Foreigners

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.