1Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities because there is no authority except from God; and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God; 2So then, the one who sets himself against the authority is resisting the ordinance of God; and those who resist shall receive judgment to themselves. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil works. Do you desire not to be afraid of the authority? Then practice good, and you will have praise from it; 4For he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you are practicing evil, have fear! For he does not wear the sword in vain because he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to the one who is practicing evil. 5Consequently, it is necessary to be subject to authority, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience. 6For this cause, you are also obligated to pay tribute; for they are servants of God, continually engaged in this very thing. 7Therefore, render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8Do not be indebted to anyone for anything, unless it is to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the law 9Because it says, "You shall not commit adultery. You shall not commit murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not lust." And if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, even by this standard: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does not do any wrong to its neighbor; therefore, love is the full expression of God's law.

11Now consider this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour that we should be roused out of sleep; because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is almost over, and the day is drawing near; therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk decently, as in the day: not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and emulation. 14But let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not make any allowance for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.