[Romans 13]

 

             ^13:1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities which are superior to them, for^* there is no authority if not by God, and the authorities which are, have been appointed by God. ^13:2 So-then, the one resisting the authority is standing against the direction {Or: arrangement} of God, and those who are standing against it will be receiving judgment for themselves. ^13:3 For^* rulers are not a fear to those of the good works, but to those of the evil works. And you do not wish to be afraid of the authority, do you? Do^* what is the good thing and you will have praise from it, ^13:4 for^* he is a servant of God to you ^*for what is the good thing. But if you are doing^* what is the evil thing, be afraid; for^* he is not wearing the sword vainly, for^* he is a servant of God, an avenger ^*for wrath to the one who is practicing the evil thing. ^13:5 Hence, it is a necessity to subject yourself to him, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience. ^13:6 For^* you^° are also paying taxes because of this; for^* they are ministers^* of God, persevering toward this same thing. ^13:7 Therefore, give^° to all their dues: tribute to the man of tribute; tax to the man of tax; fear to the man of fear; honor to the one of honor.

 

             ^13:8 Owe^° no one anything, except to love^* one another, for^* he who loves^* the other has fulfilled the law. ^13:9 For^* the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery; Do not murder; Do not steal; Do not lust, and if there is some other commandment in this word, it is all summed up in the commandment: ‘You will love^* your neighbor like yourself.’ {Do not lust. O.T.‘desire’ (but with objects); Exo 20:13-15, 17; Lev 19:18} ^13:10 The love^* works no evil toward the neighbor. Therefore, the love^* is the fulfillment of the law.

 

             ^13:11 Also this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for us to be awakened from sleep; for^* the salvation is now nearer than when we first believed. ^13:12 The night has progressed, and the day has drawn near. Therefore, we should place away from ourselves the works of darkness, and should clothe ourselves with the weapons of light. ^13:13 We should walk decently, like in the day, not in revelings and drunkennesses, not in sleeping-around {i.e., fornications} and in unbridled-lusts, not in strife and in jealousy. ^13:14 But clothe^° yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do^° not practice for yourselves forethought ^*for lusts of the flesh.