²⁵ He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect ^(A)customs or ^(B)poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” ²⁶ When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are ^[a]exempt. ²⁷ However, so that we do not ^[b](C)offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find ^[c]a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

Tribute to Caesar

^15 (A)Then the Pharisees went and ^[a]plotted together how they might trap Him ^[b]in what He said. ¹⁶ And they *sent their disciples to Him, along with the ^(B)Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and ^[c]defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what do You think? Is it ^[d]lawful to give a ^(C)poll-tax to ^(D)Caesar, or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their ^[e]malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show Me the ^(E)coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a ^[f]denarius. ²⁰ And He *said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” ²¹ They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “^(F)Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” ²² And hearing this, they were amazed, and ^(G)leaving Him, they went away.

Be Subject to Government

13 Every ^[a](A)person is to be in ^(B)subjection to the governing authorities. For ^(C)there is no authority except ^[b]from God, and those which exist are established by God. ² Therefore ^[c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³ For ^(D)rulers are not a cause of fear for ^[d]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; ⁴ for 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. ⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also ^(F)for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For 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.

Godly Living

3 ^(A)Remind them ^(B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(C)ready for every good deed, ² to malign no one, ^(D)to be peaceable, ^(E)gentle, ^(F)showing every consideration for all men.

Honor Authority

^13 (A)Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent ^[a]by him ^(B)for the punishment of evildoers and the ^(C)praise of those who do right. ¹⁵ For ^[b](D)such is the will of God that by doing right you may ^(E)silence the ignorance of foolish men. ¹⁶ Act as ^(F)free men, and ^[c]do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as ^(G)bondslaves of God. ^17 (H)Honor all people, ^(I)love the brotherhood, ^(J)fear God, ^(K)honor the ^[d]king.