CHAPTER 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers; for there is no power but from God; and the powers that be have been ordained by God.

2 He therefore who resists the power, resists the ordination of God; and they who resist, shall for themselves receive judgment.

3 For princes are not for terror to good but to evil works: wouldest thou then not fear the power? Do good, and from it thou shalt have praise;

4 For he is God’s minister to thee for good: but if thou doest any evil, fear; for not in vain does he bear the sword, since he is God’s minister, an avenger for wrath against those who do evil.

5 It is therefore necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.

6 For this reason also pay tributes, since they are God’s ministers, constantly attending to this very thing.

7 Render then to all what is due; to whom tribute is due, tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor.

8 To no one owe ye anything, except to love one another; for he who loves another, has fulfilled the law;

9 For this, “Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other precept, it is comprehended in this saying, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

10 Love works no evil to a neighbor; the fulfilling then of the law is love.

11 Moreover, as ye know the time, that the hour is, when we ought to have awakened already from sleep, (for nearer is now our salvation than when we believed,)

12 The night is far advanced, and the day has approached; let us then cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light:

13 Let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chamberings and lasciviousness, not in contention and envy;

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and have no care for the flesh for the sake of its lusts.