GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
13 Place yourselves under the authority of human governments to please the Lord. Obey the emperor. He holds the highest position of authority.
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Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
14 Also obey governors. They are people the emperor has sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
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or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.
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For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
16 Live as free people, but don't hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.
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Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
17 Honor everyone. Love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
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Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair.
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Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
19 God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering.
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For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
20 What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you.
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But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps.
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To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 Christ never committed any sin. He never spoke deceitfully.
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“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly.
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When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.