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.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

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.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

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.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

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.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

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.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

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

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

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.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

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.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath 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.

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love 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).

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

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.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour 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.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

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

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.