Romans 13

Let every soul be subject to governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the existing {authorities} are appointed by God.

So then, the one resisting that authority has opposed the command of God, and the ones who have opposed it will bring judgment on themselves. \*

For rulers are not a terror to the good deed, but to the evil {deed}. Now do you want to not fear the authority? Do the good, and you will have praise from it,

for he is a servant of God to you for the good. But if you do the evil, fear; for he does not carry the sword in vain, for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath on the one practicing the evil.

Therefore, {it is} necessary to be subjected not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience. \*

For because of this you pay taxes also; for they are servants of God, persisting in this very thing.

Pay back to everyone your obligations: tax to whom tax, toll to whom toll, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. \*

Owe nothing to no one, except to love one another, for the one loving his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

For this: “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and if any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love for a neighbor does not work evil. Therefore, love {is the} fulfillment of the law. \*

And this, knowing the time, that {it is} already the hour for you to awake from sleep. For now our salvation {is} nearer than when we believed.

The night advanced, and the day has come near. Let us therefore put off the works of the darkness, and let us put on the weapons of the light. \*

Let us walk decently, as in the day, not in drunken celebrations or drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and uncontrolled lust, not in strife and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no forethought with regard to desires of the flesh. \*