Open English Translation ROM Chapter 13

13 Everyone should be subject to the authorities who are 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 people 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 people doing evil. 5 Hence it’s necessary to be subject to them, not only to avoid their severe anger, but also because of your consciences.

6 That’s also why you believers should pay the taxes that you owe, because the authorities are God’s servants, and they work hard at it.[ref] 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 people who love each other 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 commands, can be summarised as: Love your neighbour like you love yourself. 10 If you love people near to you, you won’t do evil to them, thus love fulfills God’s law.

11 And since you believers understand current events, it’s now time to get up from your sleep, because the time for our rescue 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 actions done in darkness and put on the armour of the light. 13 In the daytime we have to walk decently—not carousing on the street and being drunk, not having sex and acting lustfully, and not causing strife and acting jealously. 14 Instead, dress yourselves in the master Yeshua Messiah, and don’t give in to physical lusts and desires.