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.

Judges

¹⁸ Appoint judges^(A) and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.^(B)

³ But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

¹⁹ Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.^(A) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes^(B) to him. ²⁰ Teach them his decrees and instructions,^(C) and show them the way they are to live^(D) and how they are to behave.^{(E) 21} But select capable men^(F) from all the people—men who fear^(G) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(H)—and appoint them as officials^(I) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²² Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case^(J) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share^(K) it with you. ²³ If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”