Parallel Verses

Lexham Expanded Bible

for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad.

New American Standard Bible

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 avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

King James Version

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Holman Bible

For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

International Standard Version

For they are God's servants, working for your good.

A Conservative Version

For he is a helper of God to thee for what is good. But if thou do what is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a helper of God, vengeful for wrath to the man who commits evil.

American Standard Version

for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

Amplified

For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer.

An Understandable Version

For they are servants of God for your good. But you should be afraid if you do what is evil, because they do not carry the sword [i.e., for executing criminals] for nothing. For they are servants of God who take revenge [on wrongdoing] by punishing the person who does evil.

Anderson New Testament

For he is the minister of God to you for that which is good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God to inflict punishment on him that does evil.

Bible in Basic English

For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer.

Common New Testament

For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is God's servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

Daniel Mace New Testament

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.

Darby Translation

for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.

Godbey New Testament

for he is the minister of God for you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, executing judgment unto wrath unto the one doing evil.

Goodspeed New Testament

for they are God's agents to do you good. But if you do wrong you may well be afraid, for they do not carry swords for nothing. They are God's servants, to execute his wrath upon wrongdoers.

John Wesley New Testament

But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the servant of God, an avenger for wrath against him that doth evil.

Julia Smith Translation

For he is servant of God to thee for good. And if thou do evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword without order: for he is servant of God, avenging for anger to him doing evil.

King James 2000

For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

Modern King James verseion

For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

For he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear: for he beareth not a sword for nought; but is the minister of God, to take vengeance on them that do evil.

Moffatt New Testament

the magistrate is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, you may well be alarmed; a magistrate does not wield the power of the sword for nothing, he is God's servant for the infliction of divine vengeance upon evil-doers.

Montgomery New Testament

For the ruler is God's minister appointed for your good. But if you are a wrong-doer, be afraid; he does not carry the sword to no purpose; he is God's servant, appointed to vengeance upon the guilty.

NET Bible

for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God's servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

New Heart English Bible

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Noyes New Testament

for the ruler is Gods servant to thee for good. But if thou doest evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is Gods servant, an avenger to inflict wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Sawyer New Testament

for [the power] is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister of justice for punishment to him that does evil.

The Emphasized Bible

For, God's minister, is he unto thee for that which is good. But, if, that which is evil, thou be doing, be afraid! For, not in vain, the sword he beareth; for, God's minister, he is, - an avenger, unto anger, to him who practiseth what is evil.

Thomas Haweis New Testament

for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil.

Twentieth Century New Testament

For they are God's servants appointed for your good. But, if you do what is wrong, you may well be afraid; for the sword they carry is not without meaning! They are God's servants to inflict his punishments on those who do wrong.

Webster

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Weymouth New Testament

For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.

Williams New Testament

For the civil authorities are God's servants to do you good. But if you practice doing wrong, you should dread them, for they do not wield the sword for nothing. Indeed, they are God's servants to inflict punishment upon people who do wrong.

World English Bible

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Worrell New Testament

for he is God's minister to you for good. But, if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.

Worsley New Testament

for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou dost evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is also the minister of God, as an avenger to execute his wrath upon the malefactor.

Youngs Literal Translation

for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

he is
ἐστί 
Esti 
ἐστί 
Esti 
is, are, was, be, have, not tr, , vr is
is, are, was, be, have, not tr, , vr is
Usage: 585
Usage: 585

the minister
διάκονος 
Diakonos 
διάκονος 
Diakonos 
Usage: 24
Usage: 24

of God
θεός 
theos 
θεός 
theos 
Usage: 1151
Usage: 1151

to thee
σοί 
Soi 
thee, thou, thy, thine own, not tr
Usage: 113

for
εἰς 
Eis 
γάρ 
Gar 
γάρ 
Gar 
into, to, unto, for, in, on, toward, against,
for, , not tr
for, , not tr
Usage: 1267
Usage: 825
Usage: 825

G18
ἀγαθός 
Agathos 
Usage: 70

But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

if
ἐάν 
Ean 
Usage: 155

thou do
ποιέω 
Poieo 
do, make, bring forth, commit, cause, work, show, bear, keep, fulfil, deal, perform, not tr, , vr do
Usage: 372

κακός 
Kakos 
Usage: 46

be afraid
φοβέω 
Phobeo 
fear, be afraid, be afraid of, reverence,
Usage: 68

he beareth
φορέω 
Phoreo 
Usage: 5

not
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

the sword
μάχαιρα 
Machaira 
Usage: 19

in vain
εἰκῆ 
Eike 
Usage: 6

ἔκδικος 
Ekdikos 
Usage: 2

to
εἰς 
Eis 
into, to, unto, for, in, on, toward, against,
Usage: 1267

ὀργή 
Orge 
Usage: 35

πράσσω 
Prasso 
Usage: 35

Images Romans 13:4

Context Readings

Obedience To The Governing Authorities

3 For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it, 4 for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad. 5 Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.


Cross References

2 Chronicles 19:6

And he said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you are not judging for a man but for Yahweh. Now [he is] with you in speaking justice.

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to [God's] wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance [is] mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

not to transgress and to exploit his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] the one who avenges concerning all these [things], just as also we told you beforehand and testified solemnly.

Numbers 35:19-27

The blood avenger himself will put the killer to death; he must put him to death when meeting him.

Joshua 20:5

And if the avenger of blood pursues after him, they will not hand over the killer into his hand, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally, and {he did not hate him previously}.

Joshua 20:9

These were the cities designated for all the {Israelites}, and for the foreigners dwelling among them, for anyone that kills a person unintentionally to flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, {until there is a trial} before the congregation.

1 Kings 10:9

May Yahweh your God be blessed, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel, because of the love of Yahweh for Israel forever, and he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness."

Psalm 82:2-4

"How long will you judge unjustly and {show favoritism to the wicked}? Selah

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king [is] a messenger of death, but one who is wise will appease it.

Proverbs 20:2

Roaring like the lion [is the] dreaded anger of a king; he who provokes him forfeits his life.

Proverbs 20:8

A king who sits on [the] throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king winnows the wicked, and he will drive a wheel over them.

Proverbs 24:23-24

These [sayings] are also for the wise: {Partiality} in judgment is not good.

Proverbs 31:8-9

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the {needy}.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-5

Keep [the] command of [the] king {because of your oath to God}.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good! Seek justice! Rescue [the] oppressed! Defend [the] orphan! Plead for [the] widow!

Jeremiah 5:28

They have grown fat, they have grown sleek, also, {their evil deeds have no limit}. They do not judge [with] justice, [the] legal cause of [the] orphan, or allow it to succeed, and [the] legal case of [the] poor, they do not defend.

Ezekiel 22:27

Its officials [are] like wolves tearing prey in its midst, to pour out blood, to destroy people, to make dishonest gain.

Ezekiel 25:14

And I will exact my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will do in Edom according to my anger and according to my rage, and they will know my vengeance," {declares} the Lord Yahweh.

Micah 3:1-4

And I said, "Listen, O heads of Jacob and leaders of the house of Israel! [Is it] not for you to know justice?

Micah 3:9

Hear this, O rulers of the house of Jacob and leaders of the house of Israel, those detesting justice and perverting all that [is] right,

Romans 13:6

For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing].

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain