Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above [him]. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
Everyone should obey government authorities, because no one has the power to rule unless God gives permission. These authorities have been put there by God.
2 So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.
Whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has put in place, and those who do so shall find themselves judged accordingly.
3 For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it;
For rulers don't frighten those who do right, but those who do wrong. If you don't want to live in fear of the authorities, then do what is right, and you'll have their approval.
4 for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.
Those in power are God's servants, put there for your own good. If you do wrong, you should be frightened—it's not without reason that authorities have the power to punish! They are God's servants, punishing offenders.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
So it's important to do as you're told, not just because of the threat of punishment, but because of what your conscience tells you.
6 For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God's officers, attending continually on this very thing.
That's why you have to pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants taking care of such things.
7 Render to all their dues: to whom tribute [is due], tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
Pay whatever you owe: taxes to the tax authorities, fees to the fee-collectors; give respect to those who should be respected, honor those who should be honored.
8 Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Don't owe anybody anything, except love for one another—for those who love their neighbor have kept the law.
9 For, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not lust; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“You must not commit adultery, you must not kill, you must not steal, you must not jealously want things for yourself”—these and the other commandments are summed up in the statement, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore [is the] whole law.
Love doesn't do wrong to anyone, so love fulfils the law.
11 This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that we should be aroused out of sleep; for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
You should do this because you realize how urgent the time is—that it's high time for you to wake up from your sleep. For salvation is closer to us now than when we first put our trust in God.
12 The night is far spent, and the day is near; let us cast away therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
The night is nearly over, the day is almost here! So let's get rid of our dark deeds and put on the armor of light.
13 As in the day, let us walk becomingly; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and lasciviousness, not in strife and emulation.
Let's behave properly, showing that we're people who are living in the light. We shouldn't spend our time going to wild parties and getting drunk, or having affairs and acting immorally, or getting into fights and being jealous.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to [fulfil its] lusts.
Instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and forget about following your sinful desires.
