1 L et every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.

Let 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 that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

Therefore 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 rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

For 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 a 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 a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

For 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 W herefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Therefore 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 cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.

For 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 their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Render 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 O we no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.

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

9 F or this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The 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 worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.

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

11 A nd this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed.

Besides 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 spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

The 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 walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

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

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