Romans 13:1-7 (New American Standard Bible)

Romans 13

Be Subject to Government

 ¹Every ^(A)person is to be in ^(B)subjection to the governing authorities For ^(C)there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

 ²Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

 ³For ^(D)rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

 ⁴for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an ^(E)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

 ⁵Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also ^(F)for conscience' sake.

 ⁶For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

 ^7(G)Render to all what is due them: ^(H)tax to whom tax is due; ^(I)custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.