Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, 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.

2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.

Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

4 For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

5 Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

6 For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

7 Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.

Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9 For Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.

Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

12 The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light.

The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy:

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.

Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.