1 L et every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.

2 T herefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves.

3 F or civil authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.

4 F or he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.

5 T herefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience.

6 F or this same reason you pay taxes, for are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service.

7 R ender to all men their dues. taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

8 K eep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.

9 T he commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

10 L ove does no wrong to one’s neighbor. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.

11 B esides this you know what hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).

12 T he night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13 L et us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.

14 B ut clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for the flesh to desires (lusts).