⁵ Therefore ^(A)you must be subject, not only because of wrath ^(B)but also for conscience’ sake.

¹⁹ For this is ^(A)commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

^16 (A)This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Obey Authorities for God’s Sake

² I say, “Keep the king’s commandment ^(A)for the sake of your oath to God.

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

3 Remind them ^(A)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, ^(B)to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

^16 (A)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Submission to Government^(A)

^13 (B)Therefore submit yourselves to every ^[a]ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

Prayer Requested

^18 (A)Pray for us; for we are confident that we have ^(B)a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

⁵ Now it happened afterward that ^(A)David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. ⁶ And he said to his men, ^(B)“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”