Submission to Civil Government

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment,^[a] and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. ² So the person who resists such authority^[b] resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment ³ (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation ⁴ because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government^[c] does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied,^[a] “We must obey^[b] God rather than people.^[c]