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13 Every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and those things that be of God, be ordained.

Therefore he that against-standeth power, against-standeth the ordinance of God; and they that against-stand, get to themselves damnation.

For princes be not to the dread of good work, but of evil. But wilt thou, that thou dread not power? Do thou good thing, and thou shalt have praising of it [Soothly wilt thou not dread power? Do good, and thou shalt have praising of it];

for he is the minister of God to thee into good. But if thou doest evil, dread thou [Soothly, if thou doest evil, dread]; for not without cause he beareth the sword, for he is the minister of God, venger into wrath to him that doeth evil.

And therefore by need be ye subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience.

For therefore [and] ye give tributes, they be the ministers of God, and serve for this same thing [for this same thing serving].

Therefore yield ye to all men debts, to whom tribute, tribute, to whom toll, toll [to whom toll, or custom for things borne about, toll, or such custom], to whom dread, dread, to whom honour, honour.

To no man owe ye any thing, but that ye love together. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.

For, Thou shalt do no lechery [Thou shalt not do lechery], Thou shalt not slay, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not say false witnessing, Thou shalt not covet the thing of thy neighbour, and if there be any other commandment, it is enstored, or included [it is enstored, or enclosed], in this word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 The love of thy neighbour worketh not evil; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And we know this time, that the hour is now, that we rise from sleep; for now is our health near(er), than when we believed.[a]

12 The night went before, but the day hath approached [forsooth the day hath nighed]. Therefore cast we away the works of darknesses, and be we clothed in the armours of light [and be we clothed with the armours of light].

13 As in [the] day wander we honestly, not in superfluous feasts [not in oft eatings] and drunkennesses, not in beds [not in bedchambers] and unchastities, not in strife and in envy;

14 but be ye clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and do ye not the busyness of flesh in desires [and do ye not the care, or busyness, of flesh in desires].

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:11 And we knowing this time, that the hour is now, us to rise of sleep; soothly now our health is nearer, than when we believed.

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.

Love Fulfills the Law

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.(I) The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a](J) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up(K) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b](L) 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.(M)

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come(N) for you to wake up from your slumber,(O) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.(P) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness(Q) and put on the armor(R) of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,(S) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.(T) 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,(U) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c](V)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
  2. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
  3. Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.