Romans 13 - International Standard Version (ISV)

Obey Your Government

13 Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God’s permission.[a] The existing authorities have been established by God, 2 so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. 4 For they are God’s servants, working for your good.

But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God’s servants to administer punishment[b] to anyone who does wrong. 5 Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities,[c] not only for the sake of God’s[d] punishment,[e] but also for the sake of your own conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers[f] are God’s servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work.[g] 7 Pay everyone whatever you owe them—taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear[h] to whom fear[i] is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Love One Another

8 Do not owe anyone anything—except to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law. 9 For the commandments, “You must not commit adultery; you must not murder; you must not steal; you must not covet,”[j] and every other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”[k] 10 Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Live in the Light of the Messiah’s Return

11 This is necessary because you know the times—it’s already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. 12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let’s therefore put aside the actions of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let’s behave decently, as people who live in the light of day.[l] No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, quarreling, or jealousy! 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[m] and do not obey your flesh and its desires.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:1 Lit. except by God
  2. Romans 13:4 Lit. wrath
  3. Romans 13:5 The Gk. lacks to the authorities
  4. Romans 13:5 The Gk. lacks God’s
  5. Romans 13:5 Lit. wrath
  6. Romans 13:6 Lit. they
  7. Romans 13:6 Lit. to this very thing
  8. Romans 13:7 Or respect
  9. Romans 13:7 Or respect
  10. Romans 13:9 Cf. Exod 20:13-15, 17; Deut 5:17-19, 21
  11. Romans 13:9 Lev 19:18
  12. Romans 13:13 Lit. as in the day
  13. Romans 13:14 Or Christ

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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)

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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)

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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