³ Rulers are a source of fear not to those who do good but rather to those who do evil. Do you wish to be free of fear from someone in authority? Then continue to do what is right and you will receive his approval. ⁴ For he is acting as God’s representative for your welfare. But if you do what is evil, then be afraid for he does not wear a sword for nothing. People in authority are God’s servants to mete out punishment to wrongdoers.

⁵ Therefore, you are obliged to submit, not only because of fear of punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶ That is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, and they devote themselves to this service. ⁷ Pay to each person what is rightfully his—taxes to the one to whom taxes are due, tolls to the one to whom tolls are due, respect to the one to whom respect is due, honor to the one to whom honor is due.