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13 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for [a]he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for [b]he beareth not the sword in vain: for [c]he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth [d]his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For this, [e]Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.

11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is [f]salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:4 Or, it
  2. Romans 13:4 Or, it
  3. Romans 13:4 Or, it
  4. Romans 13:8 Greek the other. Compare 1 Cor. 6:1; 10:24; Gal. 6:4.
  5. Romans 13:9 Ex. 20:13ff; Dt. 5:17ff.
  6. Romans 13:11 Or, our salvation nearer than when etc.

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. Therefore [c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 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; 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. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also (F)for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. (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.

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (J)he who loves [e]his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “(K)You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “(L)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love [f]does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore (M)love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is (N)already the hour for you to (O)awaken from sleep; for now [g]salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 (P)The night is almost gone, and (Q)the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside (R)the deeds of darkness and put on (S)the armor of light. 13 Let us [h](T)behave properly as in the day, (U)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But (V)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (W)in regard to its lusts.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:1 Or soul
  2. Romans 13:1 Lit by
  3. Romans 13:2 Lit he who
  4. Romans 13:3 Lit good work
  5. Romans 13:8 Lit the other
  6. Romans 13:10 Lit works no evil
  7. Romans 13:11 Or our salvation is nearer than when
  8. Romans 13:13 Lit walk