Romans 13
New Matthew Bible
The obedience of people to governing powers. Love fulfils the law. It is now no time to follow the works of darkness.
13 Let every soul submit himself to the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power except from God. The powers that be are ordained by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority, resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist will bring retribution on themselves, 3 for rulers and authorities are not to be feared for good works, but for bad. Would you be without fear of the authority? Do well then, and you will be commended by the same. 4 For he is the minister of God for your welfare. But if you do wrong, then fear. For he does not bear a sword for nothing, but is the minister of God to take vengeance on those who do evil. 5 Therefore you must obey – not for fear of vengeance only, but also because of conscience. 6 And also for this reason, pay tribute. For the Roman authorities are God’s ministers, serving for the same purpose.
7 Give to all persons therefore that which is due to them: tribute to whom tribute belongs, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear belongs, honour to whom honour pertains. 8 Owe nothing to anyone, but to love one another. For he who loves another, fulfils the law. 9 For these commandments – you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet, and so forth (if there be any other commandment) – are all comprehended in this saying: Love your neighbour as yourself. 10 Love does no harm to his neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 This also we know – I mean the season, that it is time now to awake out of sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night has passed, and the day has come near. Let us therefore cast away the deeds of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honourably, as in the daylight: not in revelry and drunkenness, nor in sleeping around and wantonness, nor in strife and envying, 14 but put on the Lord Jesus Christ. And do not make provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.
Romans 13
Modern English Version
Subjection to Authorities
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil works. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from him, 4 for he is the servant of God for your good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is the servant of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him who practices evil. 5 So it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are God’s servants, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due, and honor to whom honor is due.
Brotherly Love
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not give false testimony, You shall not covet,”[a] and if there are any other commandments, are summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love works no evil to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Approach of the Day of Christ
11 Furthermore, knowing the time, now is the moment to awake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us take off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly, as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and wickedness, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
Footnotes
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.