< Romans 13 >
1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, are ordained by 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 Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth 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. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power; do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from 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 thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5 Wherefore [ye] must needs 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 ye pay 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; honor to whom honor.
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 loveth another hath 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, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there is] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
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 worketh no ill to one's neighbor: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.
Love does not harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And this, 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 armor 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 ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.