Romans 13 - Good News Translation (GNT)

Duties toward State Authorities

13 (A)Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. 2 Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. 3 For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, 4 because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. 5 For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

6 (B)That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. 7 Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.

Duties toward One Another

8 Be under obligation to no one—the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law. 9 (C)The commandments, “Do not commit adultery; do not commit murder; do not steal; do not desire what belongs to someone else”—all these, and any others besides, are summed up in the one command, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 10 If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

11 You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. 13 Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. 14 But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

Cross references

  1. Romans 13:1 : Wis 6:3
  2. Romans 13:6 : Matt 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25
  3. Romans 13:9 : Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18; Rom 13:9; Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17; Rom 13:9; Exod 20:15; Deut 5:19; Rom 13:9; Exod 20:17; Deut 5:21; Rom 13:9; Lev 19:18

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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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 ...
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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....
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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...
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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. ...
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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. ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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