Romans 13

1 Let euery soule be subiect vnto the higher powers: for there is no power but of God: and the powers that be, are ordeined of 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 Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues condemnation.

Whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has put in place, and those who do so shall find themselves judged accordingly.

3 For Magistrates are not to be feared for good workes, but for euill. Wilt thou then bee without feare of the power? doe well: so shalt thou haue praise of the same.

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 he is ye minister of God for thy wealth, but if thou do euill, feare: for he beareth not the sworde for nought: for he is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doeth euill.

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 ye must bee subiect, not because of wrath only, but also for conscience sake.

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, for this cause ye pay also tribute: for they are Gods ministers, applying themselues for the same thing.

That's why you have to pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants taking care of such things.

7 Giue to all men therefore their duetie: tribute, to whome yee owe tribute: custome, to whom custome: feare, to whome feare: honour, to whom ye owe 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 nothing to any man, but to loue one another: for he that loueth another, hath fulfilled the Lawe.

Don't owe anybody anything, except love for one another—for those who love their neighbor have kept the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adulterie, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steale, Thou shalt not beare false witnes, Thou shalt not couet: and if there be any other commandement, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, euen in this, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe.

“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 Loue doeth not euill to his neighbour: therefore is loue the fulfilling of the Lawe.

Love doesn't do wrong to anyone, so love fulfils the law.

11 And that, considering the season, that it is now time that we should arise from sleepe: for now is our saluation neerer, then when we beleeued it.

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 past, and the day is at hande, let vs therefore cast away the workes of darkenesse, and let vs 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 So that wee walke honestly, as in the day: not in gluttonie, and drunkennesse, neither in chambering and wantonnes, nor in strife and enuying.

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 yee on the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lustes of it.

Instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and forget about following your sinful desires.