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.
Every one should be in the higher authorities; for there is no authority apart from God. The authorities that now exist have been appointed by God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Therefore the man who rebels against authority is opposing the divine ordinances; and those who withstand will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:
For rulers are no terror to good deeds, but to evil. Would you be fearless of the ruler’s authority? Do what is good, and you will have his praise.
4 For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
For the ruler is God’s minister appointed for your good. But if you are a wrong-doer, be afraid; he does not carry the sword to no purpose; he is God’s servant, appointed to vengeance upon the guilty.
5 Wherefore all of you must essentially be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Wherefore you must needs be in subjection, not only because of fear, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay all of you tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
This too, is the reason why you pay taxes; because the authorities are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Render to all their dues; taxes to whom taxes, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, and homage to whom homage is due.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Never owe any one anything save the debt of brotherly love; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.
9 For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, (logos) namely, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
For the Law which says, Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet, and whatever other commandment there be - is all summed up in this one saying, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love (agape) works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love (agape) is the fulfilling of the law.
Love never wrongs his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilment of the Law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Carry out these injunctions because you know the crisis that we are in, that now it is high time for you to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
The night is far spent; The day is at hand. Let is therefore take off the deeds of darkness, Let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Let us live honestly, as in the day, Not in reveling and drunkenness, Not in lust and licentiousness, Not is strife and jealousy;
14 But put all of you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, And make no provisions for your earthly nature And the gratification of its lusts.
