²⁸ “You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.

⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

⁸ In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.^[a]

⁵ “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’^[a]”

³ But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!^[a] What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

¹⁰ He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.

These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings^[a] without so much as trembling.

¹⁷ Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.^[a] Fear God, and respect the king.