Romans 13

¹Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powersthat be are ordained of God. ²Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. ³For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: ⁴for 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. ⁵Wherefore yemust needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. ⁶For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. ⁸Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law. ⁹For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ¹⁰Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. ¹¹And this, knowing the season, that now it is high time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we firstbelieved. ¹²The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. ¹³Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfillthe lusts thereof.