Romans 13 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

A Christian’s Duties to the State

13 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities,(A) since there is no authority except from God,(B) and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror(C) to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger(D) that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.(E) 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.[a] 7 Pay your obligations(F) to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes,(G) tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect,(H) and honor to those you owe honor.

Love, Our Primary Duty

8 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.(I) 9 The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal;[b] do not covet;[c](J) and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.[d](K) 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

Put On Christ

11 Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour(L) for you[e] to wake up from sleep,(M) because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.(N) 12 The night is nearly over, and the day is near;(O) so let us discard the deeds of darkness(P) and put on the armor of light.(Q) 13 Let us walk with decency,(R) as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness;(S) not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,(T) and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.(U)

Footnotes

  1. 13:6 Lit to this very thing
  2. 13:9 Other mss add do not bear false witness
  3. 13:9 Ex 20:13–17; Dt 5:17–21
  4. 13:9 Lv 19:18
  5. 13:11 Other mss read for us

Cross references

  1. 13:1 : Ti 3:1; 1Pt 2:13
  2. 13:1 : Dn 2:21; 4:17; Jn 19:1
  3. 13:3 : 1Pt 2:14
  4. 13:4 : 1Th 4:6
  5. 13:5 : 1Pt 2:13,19
  6. 13:7 : Mt 22:21
  7. 13:7 : Lk 20:22; 23:2
  8. 13:7 : Mt 17:25
  9. 13:8 : Mt 7:12; 22:39; Jn 13:34; Rm 12:10; Gl 5:14; Jms 2:8
  10. 13:9 : Ex 20:13–17; Dt 5:17–21
  11. 13:9 : Lv 19:18; Mt 19:19
  12. 13:11 : 1Co 7:29; 10:11; Jms 5:8; 1Pt 4:7; 2Pt 3:9,11; 1Jn 2:18; Rv 1:3; 22:10
  13. 13:11 : Mk 13:37; 1Co 15:34; Eph 5:14; 1Th 5:6
  14. 13:11 : Ac 19:2; 1Co 3:5; 15:2
  15. 13:12 : Heb 10:25; 1Jn 2:8; Rv 1:3; 22:10
  16. 13:12 : Eph 5:11
  17. 13:12 : 2Co 6:7; 10:4; Eph 6:11,13; 1Th 5:8
  18. 13:13 : 1Th 4:12
  19. 13:13 : Lk 21:34; Gl 5:21; Eph 5:18; 1Pt 4:3
  20. 13:14 : Jb 29:14; Gl 3:27; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10,12
  21. 13:14 : Gl 5:16; 1Pt 2:11

You Might Also Like:

Romans 13 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

13 Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God, 2 so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive jud...
Read More

Romans 13 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

13 Every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and those things that be of God, be ordained. 2 Therefore he that against-standeth power, against-standeth the ordinance of God; and they that against-stand, get to themselves damnation. 3 For princes be not to the dread ...
Read More

Romans 13 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

13 Every person must obey the rulers over him. Every ruler has his power from God. And the rulers are put there by God. 2 So anyone who fights against the ruler, fights against what God put there. And those who fight will be punished. 3 The rulers do not bring fear to a good man, but they bring fear...
Read More

Romans 13 - World English Bible (WEB)

13 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 ...
Read More

Romans 13 - The Voice (VOICE)

13 It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. 2 Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment....
Read More

Romans 13 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Respecting Authority13 Let every person submit himself to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are put in place by God. [a] 2 So whoever opposes the authority has resisted God’s direction, and those who have resisted will bring judgment on themse...
Read More

Romans 13 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Being Subject to Authorities13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ...
Read More

Romans 13 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Being Subject to Authorities13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ...
Read More

Romans 13 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

13 Let every soul be subject to the superior authorities. For there is no authority except from God. And the existing authority is ordained by God. 2 Therefore, whoever resists that authority, resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist, shall receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For ruler...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Divine Purpose, and Limited Role, of Ruling Authorities13 Every person must be subject to the ruling authorities. There is no authority, you see, except from God, and those that exist have been put in place by God. 2 As a result, anyone who rebels against authority is resisting what God has set...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Being Subject to Authorities13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur jud...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Being Subject to Authorities13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.(A)2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur ju...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The obedience of people to governing powers. Love fulfils the law. It is now no time to follow the works of darkness. 13 Let every soul submit himself to the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power except from God. The powers that be are ordained by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists au...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Respect for Authority13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the auth...
Read More

Romans 13 - New Life Version (NLV)

13 Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God. 2 The person who does not obey the leaders of the land is working against what God has done. Anyone who does that will be punished. 3 Those who do right do not have to be afr...
Read More

Romans 13 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Submit to Government13 Let every soul be (A)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists (B)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on...
Read More