Submission
To The Authorities
Everyone
must submit himself to the Governing authorities,
For
there is no Authority
Except
that which God has established.
THE
AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST
HAVE
BEEN ESTABLISHED BY GOD.
2
Consequently, he who rebels
Against
what God has Instituted,
And
those who do so will bring Judgment on themselves.
3
For Rulers hold no Terror for those who do Right,
But
for those who do Wrong.
Do
you want to be free
From
Fear of the one in Authority?
THEN
DO WHAT IS RIGHT
AND
HE WILL COMMEND YOU.
4
For he is God's servant to do you good.
But
if you do Wrong, be Afraid,
For
he does not bear the Sword for nothing.
HE
IS GOD'S SERVANT, AN AGENT OF WRATH
TO
BRING PUNISHMENT ON THE WRONG-DOER.
5
THEREFORE, IT IS NECESSARY
TO
SUBMIT TO THE AUTHORITIES,
NOT
ONLY BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE PUNISHMENT
BUT
ALSO BECAUSE OF CONSCIENCE.
6
This is also why you pay taxes,
For
the Authorities are God's Servants,
Who
give their full time to Governing.
7
Give everyone what you owe him:
If
you owe taxes, pay taxes;
If
revenue, then revenue;
If
respect, then respect;
If
honor, then honor.
Love,
For The Day Is Near
8
Let no Debt remain outstanding,
Except
the continuing Debt
To
love one another,
For
he who loves his fellow man
Has
fulfilled the Law
9
The Commandments,
'Do
not commit Adultery,'
'Do
not Murder,' 'Do not Covet,'
And
whatever other Commandment there may be,
ARE
SUMMED UP IN ONE RULE:
'LOVE
YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
10
LOVE DOES NO HARM TO ITS NEIGHBOR.
THEREFORE
LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.
11
AND DO THIS UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENT TIME.
THE
HOUR HAS COME FOR YOU TO WAKE-UP
FROM
YOUR SLUMBER,
BECAUSE
OUR SALVATION IS NEARER NOW
THAN
WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED.
12
THE NIGHT IS NEARLY OVER;
THE
DAY IS ALMOST HERE.
SO
LET US PUT ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS
AND
PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT.
13
LET US BEHAVE DECENTLY,
AS
IN THE DAYTIME,
NOT
IN ORGIES AND DRUNKENNESS,
NOT
IN SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND DEBAUCHERY,
NOT
IN DISSENSION AND JEALOUSY.
14
RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES
WITH
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AND
DO NOT THINK ABOUT
HOW
TO GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE SINFUL NATURE.
(Romans
13)
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