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1 Be every one of you subject to the ruling powers, for every ruler holds of God: the rulers in being are constituted by God. 2 so that he who opposes the ruler, disobeys the orders of God: and will be punished too for resisting, by those very powers. 3 rulers are not a terror to virtue, but to vice, would you then live without any dread of the civil power? do what is right, and you shall have his commendation. 4 for his administration is appointed by God for your good, but if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: he being the minister of God, to execute punishment upon malefactors. 5 wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but 6 from a principle of conscience, for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually 7 attending upon the publick administration, render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honour to whom honour. Romans 13:1-7, Mace New Testament. Public domain.
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