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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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) 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) Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(F)

This is also why you pay taxes,(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 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.

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13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

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I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(A)
    today I have become your father.(B)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(C) your inheritance,(D)
    the ends of the earth(E) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[a];(F)
    you will dash them to pieces(G) like pottery.(H)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(I)
    be warned, you rulers(J) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(K)
    and celebrate his rule(L) with trembling.(M)
12 Kiss his son,(N) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(O) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(P) are all who take refuge(Q) in him.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

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15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(A) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(B)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

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19 During the night the mystery(A) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(B) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(C) 20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(D)
    wisdom and power(E) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(F)
    he deposes(G) kings and raises up others.(H)
He gives wisdom(I) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(J)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(K)
    he knows what lies in darkness,(L)
    and light(M) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(N)
    You have given me wisdom(O) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.(P)

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19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

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11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.(A) Therefore the one who handed me over to you(B) is guilty of a greater sin.”

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11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

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