Romans 13 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A Christian’s Duties to the State

13 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities,(A) for there is no authority except from God,(B) and those 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 authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For government 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 government 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 public 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,[b] 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;[c]
do not covet;(J)[d]

and whatever other commandment—all are summed up by this: Love your neighbor as yourself.(K)[e]

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

Put On Christ

11 Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour(L) for you[f] to wake up from sleep,(M) for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.(N) 12 The night is nearly over, and the daylight 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 daylight: 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 plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.(U)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:6 Lit to this very thing
  2. Romans 13:8 Or Leave no debt outstanding to anyone
  3. Romans 13:9 Other mss add you shall not bear false witness
  4. Romans 13:9 Ex 20:13-17; Dt 5:17-21
  5. Romans 13:9 Lv 19:18
  6. Romans 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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Romans 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

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Romans 13 - New Life Version (NLV)

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Romans 13 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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