Romans
Chapter 13
Lessons of obedience to superiors, and mutual charity.
- 1
Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.
- 2
Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.
- 3
For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.
- 4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God: and avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.
- 5
Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience-sake.
- 6
For therefore also you pay tribute: for they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.
- 7
Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.
- 8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.
- 9
For thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- 10
The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love, therefore, is the fulfilling of the law.
- 11
And that knowing the time: that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep: for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
- 12
The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light.
- 13
Let us walk honestly as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy:
- 14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.