Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,(A) for there is no authority except that which God has established.(B) The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(D) For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(E) Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(F)

This is also why you pay taxes,(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;(H) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

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I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(A)
    today I have become your father.(B)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(C) your inheritance,(D)
    the ends of the earth(E) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[a];(F)
    you will dash them to pieces(G) like pottery.(H)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(I)
    be warned, you rulers(J) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(K)
    and celebrate his rule(L) with trembling.(M)
12 Kiss his son,(N) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(O) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(P) are all who take refuge(Q) in him.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)

15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(A) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(B)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

19 During the night the mystery(A) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(B) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(C) 20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(D)
    wisdom and power(E) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(F)
    he deposes(G) kings and raises up others.(H)
He gives wisdom(I) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(J)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(K)
    he knows what lies in darkness,(L)
    and light(M) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(N)
    You have given me wisdom(O) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.(P)

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11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.(A) Therefore the one who handed me over to you(B) is guilty of a greater sin.”

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