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.

Let every one obey the supreme Authorities. For no Authority exists except by the will of God, and the existing Authorities 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.

Therefore he who sets himself against the authorities is resisting God’s appointment, and those who resist will bring a judgment upon 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.

A good action has nothing to fear from Rulers; a bad action has. Do you want to have no reason to fear the Authorities? Then do what is good, and you will win their praise.

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 they are God’s servants appointed for your good. But, if you do what is wrong, you may well be afraid; for the sword they carry is not without meaning! They are God’s servants to inflict his punishments on those who do wrong.

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

You are bound, therefore, to obey, not only through fear of God’s punishments, 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, too, is the reason for your paying taxes; for the officials are God’s officers, devoting themselves to this special 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.

In all cases pay what is due from you — tribute where tribute is due, taxes where taxes are due, respect where respect is due, and honour where honour is due.

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

Owe nothing to any one except brotherly love; for he who loves his fellow men has satisfied 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, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there is, are all summed up in the words — ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thou dost thyself.’

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

Love never wrongs a neighbour. Therefore Love fully satisfies 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.

This I say, because you know the crisis that we have reached, for the time has already come for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; our Salvation is nearer now than when we accepted the Faith.

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 almost gone; the day is near. Therefore let us have done with the deeds of Darkness, and arm ourselves with the weapons 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:

Being in the light of Day, let us live becomingly, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lust and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy.

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

No! Arm yourselves with the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, and spend no thought on your earthly nature, to satisfy its cravings.