ROMANS Chapter 13 - Submission To The Authorities

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)