Open English Translation ROM Chapter 13

13 Everyone should be subject to the authorities who’re over them because there’s no authority except through God and they’re appointed by God. 2 So anyone opposing authority has rebelled against what God has instituted, and everyone who rebels is bringing judgement on themselves 3 because rulers don’t evoke fear in those doing good, just those doing evil. Oh, so you don’t want to be afraid of the authorities, then do good and you’ll receive praise from them instead 4 because they’re God’s servants for your good. But if you’re doing evil, then you should rightly be afraid because the authorities aren’t armed without reason—they’re God’s servants to dispense severe anger to those doing evil. 5 Hence it’s necessary to be subject to them, not only for fear of their severe anger, but also because of your consciences.

6 [ref]That’s also why you all should pay the taxes that you owe, because the authorities are God’s servants and work hard to do that. 7 So fulfil all of your obligations: if it’s tax then pay it, or revenue then give it, or if it’s respect then show it, or giving honour then do it.

8 Don’t be in debt to anyone other than the debt of love to each other, because those who love one another have fulfilled God’s law 9 which is:[ref] Don’t commit adultery. Don’t murder. Don’t steal. Don’t covet what others have. All of those plus any other commandments can be summarised as: Love your neighbour like you love yourself. 10 If you love those near to you, you won’t do evil to them, thus love fulfills God’s law.

11 And since you all understand the times, it’s now time to get up from your sleep because the time of our salvation is nearer now than it was when we first believed. 12 The night has progressed and the day is getting closer, so turn away from the actions done in the darkness and dress in the weapons of the light. 13 In the daytime we have to walk decently—not carousing on the street and being drunk, and not having sex and acting lustfully, not causing strife and acting jealously. 14 Instead, cover yourselves with the master Yeshua Messiah, and don’t be giving in to physical lusts and desires.