Romans 13:1-7
Be Subject to Government
1 Every (a)(A)person is to be in (B)subjection to the governing authorities. For (C)there is no authority except (b)from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore (c)whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For (D)rulers are not a cause of fear for (d)good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an (E)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also (F)for conscience’ sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 (G)Render to all what is due them: (H)tax to whom tax is due; (I)custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Footnotes:
a.
Romans 13:1: ['Or ', soul]
b.
Romans 13:1: ['Lit ', by]
c.
Romans 13:2: ['Lit ', he who]
d.
Romans 13:3: ['Lit ', good work]