1 ¶ Let every soul submit itself to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

2 W hosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God, and those that resist shall receive condemnation to themselves.

Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

3 F or the magistrates are not a terror unto those who do good, but to the doer of evil. Is thy desire therefore to not fear the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same;

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

4 f or he is a minister of God for thy good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

5 T herefore it is necessary that ye be subject, not only for punishment, but also for conscience sake.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6 F or this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God’s ministers, attending continually to this very thing.

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.

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

Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 O we no one anything, but love one unto another; for he that loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.

Owe no one 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 murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet, and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 C harity works no evil to a neighbour; therefore, charity is the fulfillment of the law.

Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

11 ¶ And this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awaken ourselves out of sleep, for now is our saving health nearer than when we believed.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.

12 T he night is past, and the day is come; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us clothe ourselves with the weapons of light.

The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.

13 L et us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

14 B ut be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not listen to the flesh, to fulfil its desires.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.