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.

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 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

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

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 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 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 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 Wherefore all of you must essentially be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, 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.

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

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 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another 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 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 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 Love (agape) works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love (agape) is the fulfilling of the law.

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

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 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 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 day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

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 But put all of you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

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