Romans 13

1 Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God’s permission. ^{a13:1 Lit. except by God} The existing authorities have been established by God,ISV — Romans 13:1

2 so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.ISV — Romans 13:2

3 For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval.ISV — Romans 13:3

4 For they are God’s servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God’s servants to administer punishment ^{b13:4 Lit. wrath} to anyone who does wrong.ISV — Romans 13:4

5 Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, ^{c13:5 The Gk. lacks to the authorities} not only for the sake of God’s ^{d13:5 The Gk. lacks God’s} punishment, ^{e13:5 Lit. wrath} but also for the sake of your own conscience.ISV — Romans 13:5

6 This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers ^{f13:6 Lit. they} are God’s servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work. ^{g13:6 Lit. to this very thing}ISV — Romans 13:6

7 Pay everyone whatever you owe them—taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear ^{h13:7 Or respect} to whom fear ^{i13:7 Or respect} is due, honor to whom honor is due.ISV — Romans 13:7

8 Do not owe anyone anything—except to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law.ISV — Romans 13:8

9 For the commandments, “You must not commit adultery; you must not murder; you must not steal; you must not covet,” ^{j13:9 Cf. Exod 20:13-15, 17; Deut 5:17-19, 21} and every other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” ^{k13:9 Lev 19:18}ISV — Romans 13:9

10 Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.ISV — Romans 13:10

11 This is necessary because you know the times—it’s already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers.ISV — Romans 13:11

12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let’s therefore put aside the actions of darkness and put on the armor of light.ISV — Romans 13:12

13 Let’s behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. ^{l13:13 Lit. as in the day} No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, quarreling, or jealousy!ISV — Romans 13:13

14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, ^{m13:14 Or Christ} and do not obey your flesh and its desires.ISV — Romans 13:14