Romans 13:1-5 Every subject must obey the government-authorities, for no authority exists apart from God; the existing authorities have been constituted by God.

Moffatt⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Every subject must obey the government-authorities, for no authority exists apart from God; the existing authorities have been constituted by God. ² Hence anyone who resists authority is opposing the divine order, and the opposition will bring judgment on themselves. ³ Magistrates are no terror to an honest man, though they are to a bad man. If you want to avoid being alarmed at the government-authorities, lead an honest life and you will be commended for it; ⁴ the magistrate is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, you may well be alarmed; a magistrate does not wield the power of the sword for nothing, he is God's servant for the infliction of divine vengeance upon evil-doers. ⁵ You must be obedient, therefore, not only to avoid the divine vengeance but as a matter of conscience,