Common English Bible CEB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn't any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God.
1
Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God.
2 So anyone who opposes the authority is standing against what God has established. People who take this kind of stand will get punished.
2
Therefore, whoever resists the government opposes what God has established. Those who resist will bring punishment on themselves.
3 The authorities don't frighten people who are doing the right thing. Rather, they frighten people who are doing wrong. Would you rather not be afraid of authority? Do what's right, and you will receive its approval.
3
People who do what is right don't have to be afraid of the government. But people who do what is wrong should be afraid of it. Would you like to live without being afraid of the government? Do what is right, and it will praise you.
4 It is God's servant given for your benefit. But if you do what's wrong, be afraid because it doesn't have weapons to enforce the law for nothing. It is God's servant put in place to carry out his punishment on those who do what is wrong.
4
The government is God's servant working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid. The government has the right to carry out the death sentence. It is God's servant, an avenger to execute God's anger on anyone who does what is wrong.
5 That is why it is necessary to place yourself under the government's authority, not only to avoid God's punishment but also for the sake of your conscience.
5
Therefore, it is necessary for you to obey, not only because you're afraid of God's anger but also because of your own conscience.
6 You should also pay taxes for the same reason, because the authorities are God's assistants, concerned with this very thing.
6
That is also why you pay your taxes. People in the government are God's servants while they do the work he has given them.
7 So pay everyone what you owe them. Pay the taxes you owe, pay the duties you are charged, give respect to those you should respect, and honor those you should honor.
7
Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them. If you owe someone respect, respect that person. If you owe someone honor, honor that person.
8 Don't be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law.
8
Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses' Teachings.
9 The commandments, Don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal, don't desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself.
9
The commandments, "Never commit adultery; never murder; never steal; never have wrong desires," and every other commandment are summed up in this statement: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
10 Love doesn't do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law.
10
Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor. Therefore, love fulfills Moses' Teachings.
11 As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith.
11
You know the times [in which we are living]. It's time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.
12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let's get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light.
12
The night is almost over, and the day is near. So we should get rid of the things that belong to the dark and take up the weapons that belong to the light.
13 Let's behave appropriately as people who live in the day, not in partying and getting drunk, not in sleeping around and obscene behavior, not in fighting and obsession.
13
We should live decently, as people who live in the light of day. Wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, and jealousy cannot be part of our lives.
14 Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don't plan to indulge your selfish desires.
14
Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your sinful nature.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.