Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

2 And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves.

Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

3 For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them.

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

4 For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

5 For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6 Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

7 Therefore, render to all whatever is owed. Taxes, to whom taxes is due; revenue, to whom revenue is due; fear, to whom fear is due; honor, to whom honor is due.

Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except so as to love one another. For whoever loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9 For example: You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not speak false testimony. You shall not covet. And if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 The love of neighbor does no harm. Therefore, love is the plenitude of the law.

Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And we know the present time, that now is the hour for us to rise up from sleep. For already our salvation is closer than when we first believed.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.

12 The night has passed, and the day draws near. Therefore, let us cast aside the works of darkness, and be clothed with the armor of light.

The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the daylight, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and sexual immorality, not in contention and envy.

Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

14 Instead, be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in its desires.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.