< Romans 13 >
1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities of magistracy. For there is no authority which is not from God: and the authorities which exist, are established by God.
2 He therefore who opposeth the authority, opposeth the establishment of God; and they who oppose them, shall receive judgment.
3 For judges are not a terror to good deeds, but to evil deeds. Wouldst thou then not be afraid of the authority? Do good, and thou shalt have praise from it.
4 For he is the minister of God; but it is to thee for good. But if thou doest evil, be afraid; for he is not girded with the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, and an avenger of wrath to them that do evil things.
5 And therefore, it is necessary for us to be obedient, not only on account of wrath, but likewise on account of our consciences.
6 For this cause also ye pay tribute money; for they are the ministers of God, established for these same objects.
7 Render therefore to every one, as is due to him; tribute-money, to whom tribute-money; and excise, to whom excise; and fear, to whom fear; and honor, to whom honor.
8 And owe nothing to any one; but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbor, hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this likewise, which it saith: Thou shalt not kill; nor commit adultery; nor steal; nor covet; and if there is any other commandment, it is completed in this sentence: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love doeth no evil to one's neighbor; because love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And this also know ye, that it is the time and the hour, that we should henceforth be awake from our sleep. For now our life hath come nearer to us, than when we believed.
12 The night now passeth away, and the day draweth near. Let us therefore cast from us the works of darkness; and let us put on the armor of light.
13 And let us walk decorously, as in daylight; not in merriment, nor in drunkenness, nor in impurity of the bed, nor in envy and strife.
14 But clothe yourselves with our Lord Jesus Messiah: and be not thoughtful about your flesh, for the indulgence of appetites.
