Romans 13:3-14 ▼

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from him.

4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil.

5 Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath, but also because of the conscience.

6 For because of this, you? also pay taxes; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very thing.

7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law.

9 For, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and if any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love works no evil to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you? to be awakened out of sleep; for our salvation is nearer now than when we came to believe.

12 The night is advanced, and the day has drawn near; therefore let us lay aside the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk properly as in daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no forethought for the desires of the flesh.