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.

Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God.

2 T herefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

The person who does not obey the leaders of the land is working against what God has done. Anyone who does that will be punished.

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:

Those who do right do not have to be afraid of the leaders. Those who do wrong are afraid of them. Do you want to be free from fear of them? Then do what is right. You will be respected instead.

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.

Leaders are God’s servants to help you. If you do wrong, you should be afraid. They have the power to punish you. They work for God. They do what God wants done to those who do wrong.

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

You must obey the leaders of the land, not only to keep from God’s anger, but so your own heart will have peace.

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

It is right for you to pay taxes because the leaders of the land are servants for God who care for these things.

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.

Pay taxes to whom taxes are to be paid. Be afraid of those you should fear. Respect those you should respect.

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

Do not owe anyone anything, but love each other. Whoever loves his neighbor has done what the Law says to do.

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 Law says, “You must not do any sex sin. You must not kill another person. You must not steal. You must not tell a lie about another person. You must not want something someone else has.” The Law also says that these and many other Laws are brought together in one Law, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 L ove worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.

Anyone who loves his neighbor will do no wrong to him. You keep the Law with love.

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.

There is another reason for doing what is right. You know what time it is. It is time for you to wake up from your sleep. The time when we will be taken up to be with Christ is not as far off as when we first put our trust in Him.

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.

Night is almost gone. Day is almost here. We must stop doing the sinful things that are done in the dark. We must put on all the things God gives us to fight with for the day.

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.

We must act all the time as if it were day. Keep away from wild parties and do not be drunk. Keep yourself free from sex sins and bad actions. Do not fight or be jealous.

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

Let every part of you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not allow your weak thoughts to lead you into sinful actions.