Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God; and those that exist are placed under God.

2 Wherefore, he who sets himself in opposition to the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they who resist shall procure punishment to themselves.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Would you, then, not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same.

4 For the ruler is a servant of God for good to you. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; because he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a servant of God, a revenger to inflict wrath on him who works evil.

5 Wherefore, it is necessary for you to be subject, not only on account of punishment, but also on account of conscience.

6 For this reason, therefore, you pay taxes also to them, because they are public ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.

7 Render, therefore, to all their dues; to whom tax is due, tax; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor.

8 Owe no man anything, unless to love one another. For he who loves another, has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not covet"; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this precept, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

10 Love works no evil to one's neighbor: therefore, love the the fulfilling of the law.

11 Further, knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to awake out of sleep. (For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed:

12 the night is far advanced, and the day is at hand.) Let us, therefore, put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk about decently, as in the day, not in revelings and drunkenness; not in chamberings and lasciviousness; not in strife and envy.

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