ט Teth

² If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant,^{(A) 3} and contrary to my command^(B) has worshiped other gods,^(C) bowing down to them or to the sun^(D) or the moon or the stars in the sky,^{(E) 4} and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true^(F) and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,^{(G) 5} take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.^{(H) 6} On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.^{(I) 7} The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death,^(J) and then the hands of all the people.^(K) You must purge the evil^(L) from among you.

Law Courts

⁸ If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge^(M)—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults^(N)—take them to the place the Lord your God will choose.^{(O) 9} Go to the Levitical^(P) priests and to the judge^(Q) who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.^{(R) 10} You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do. ¹¹ Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.^{(S) 12} Anyone who shows contempt^(T) for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering^(U) there to the Lord your God is to be put to death.^(V) You must purge the evil from Israel.^{(W) 13} All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.^(X)

Submission to Governing Authorities

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

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