Romans 12:9-13:7

New International Version

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere.^(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(B) ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love.^(C) Honor one another above yourselves.^(D) ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(E) serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope,^(F) patient in affliction,^(G) faithful in prayer.^(H) ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(I) Practice hospitality.^(J)

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you;^(K) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^(L) ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another.^(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.^(N)

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^(P) ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^(Q) ¹⁹Do not take revenge,^(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b]^(S) says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[c]^(T)

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,^(U) for there is no authority except that which God has established.^(V) The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,^(W) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For 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.^(X) ⁴For 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.^(Y) ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.^(Z)

⁶This is also why you pay taxes,^(AA) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;^(AB) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.