| Chapter 13 |
1 | Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above [him]. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
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2 | So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.
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3 | For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it;
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4 | 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.
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5 | Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
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6 | For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God's officers, attending continually on this very thing.
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7 | Render to all their dues: to whom tribute [is due], tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
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8 | Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
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9 | For, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not lust; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
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10 | Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore [is the] whole law.
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11 | This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that we should be aroused out of sleep; for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
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12 | The night is far spent, and the day is near; let us cast away therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
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13 | As in the day, let us walk becomingly; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and lasciviousness, not in strife and emulation.
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14 | But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to [fulfil its] lusts.
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