Romans 13:1-7

Obedience to the Governing Authorities

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for [there] is no authority except by God, and those that exist are put in place by God.
2 So then, the one who resists authority resists the ordinance [which is] from God, and those who resist will receive condemnation on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it,
4 for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad.
5 Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing].
7 Pay to everyone [what is] owed: [pay] taxes to whom taxes [are due]; [pay] customs duties to whom customs duties [are due]; [pay] respect to whom respect [is due]; [pay] honor to whom honor [is due].

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Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Literally "they"
  • [b]. Due to the very compressed style in this verse, many words must be supplied to make sense in English
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.