Chapter 13
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities , for there is no authority except from God , and those who exist are ordained by God .
2 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God ; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment .
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work , but to the evil . Do you desire to have no fear of the authority ? Do that which is good , and you will have praise from the authority ,
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good . But if you do that which is evil , be afraid , for he doesn’ t bear the sword in vain ; for he is a servant of God , an avenger for wrath to him who does evil .
5 Therefore you need to be in subjection , not only because of the wrath , but also for conscience ’ sake .
6 For this reason you also pay taxes , for they are servants of God ’s service, continually doing this very thing .
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 Owe no one anything , except to love one another ; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law .
9 For the commandments , " You shall not commit adultery ," " You shall not murder ," " You shall not steal ," " You shall not covet ," and whatever other commandments there are , are all summed up in this saying , namely , " You shall love your neighbor as yourself ."
10 Love doesn’ t harm a neighbor . Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law .
11 Do this , knowing the time , that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep , for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed .
12 The night is far gone , and the day is near . Let ’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness , and let ’s put on the armor of light .
13 Let ’s walk properly , as in the day ; not in reveling and drunkenness , not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy .
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make no provision for the flesh , for its lusts .