1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
2 Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror for those who do good works, but to those who do evil. Do you want to have no fear of the one in authority? do that which is good, and you shall have his praise:
4 For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is God's servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
7 Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Be in debt to no man — apart from the debt of love one to another. He who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is at hand. So let us throw aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about gratifying your physical cravings.