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.

¶ Toda alma se someta a las potestades superiores; porque no hay potestad sino de Dios; y las que están, de Dios son ordenadas.

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.

Así que, el que se opone a la potestad, a la ordenación de Dios resiste; y los que resisten, ellos mismos ganan condenación para sí.

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.

Porque los magistrados no son para temor al que bien hace, sino al malo. ¿Quieres pues no temer la potestad? Haz lo bueno, y tendrás alabanza de ella;

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.

porque es ministro de Dios para tu bien. Mas si hicieres lo malo, teme; porque no sin causa trae la espada; porque es ministro de Dios, vengador para castigo al que hace lo malo.

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.

Por lo cual es necesario que le estéis sujetos, no solamente por el castigo, mas aun por la conciencia.

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

Porque por esto le pagáis también los tributos; porque son ministros de Dios que sirven a esto mismo.

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.

¶ Pagad a todos lo que debéis; al que tributo, tributo; al que impuesto, impuesto; al que temor, temor; al que honra, honra.

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.

No debáis a nadie nada, sino amaros unos a otros; porque el que ama al prójimo, cumplió la ley.

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.

Porque: No adulterarás; no cometerás homidicio; no hurtarás; no dirás falso testimonio; no codiciarás; y si hay algún otro mandamiento, en esta palabra se resume: Amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.

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

La caridad no hace mal al prójimo; así que la caridad es el cumplimento de la ley.

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).

¶ Y esto, conociendo el tiempo, que es ya hora de levantarnos del sueño; porque ahora está más cerca nuestra salud que cuando creímos.

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.

La noche ha pasado, y ha llegado el día; echemos, pues, las obras de las tinieblas, y vistámonos las armas de la luz,

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.

Andemos como de día, honestamente; no en glotonerías y borracheras, no en lechos y disoluciones, no en pendencias y envidia;

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

mas vestíos del Señor Jesús, el Cristo; y no hagáis caso de la carne en sus deseos.