Romans 13:1-7

Christians should obey ruling powers

1 Everyone must obey the government officers. It is God who gives the authority to rule. The people who rule have received their authority from God. 2 So anyone who refuses to obey that authority is refusing to obey God. That person will receive the proper punishment.

3 People who do good things do not need to be afraid of the rulers. Only people who do bad things should be afraid of the rulers. Do you want not to be afraid of the rulers? Then you must do good things and they will praise you. 4 Rulers are God's servants. They help you to do good things. But if you do bad things, then you should be afraid of them. Their authority to punish people is real. On God's behalf they punish people who do bad things. 5 So you must obey the authority of rulers. Obey them not only so that they do not punish you. Do it because you know that it is the right thing to do.

6 This is also the reason why you pay taxes to the government. You should pay them, because the officers are God's servants. They are doing the work that is their duty. 7 So you must give to each person what you ought to give them. Pay taxes to the people who receive taxes. Do that for every kind of tax. Respect those people that you should respect. Praise the people that you should praise.