Romans

Obedience to the Authorities

Let everyone submit to the authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the offices have been established by God.

Whoever therefore resists authority is resisting God’s decree, and those who resist deserve condemnation.

In fact, who fears authority? Not those who do good, but those who do evil. Do you want to be free from fear of someone in authority? Do good, and you will receive praise.

They are the stewards of God, for your well-being. But if you do not behave, fear them, for they do not carry arms in vain; they serve God when they judge and punish wrongdoers.

It is necessary to obey, not out of fear, but as a matter of conscience.

Similarly, you must pay taxes because the collectors are God’s representatives.

Pay everyone what is owed to them: give contributions to those you owe contributions; pay taxes to those who are due taxes; show respect to those who are deserving of respect; and give honor to those who are worthy of honor.

Don’t owe anyone anything except love. The one who loves their neighbor fulfills the law.

The commandments—such as do not commit adultery, do not kill, and do not covet—are all summarized in this: You will love your neighbor as yourself.

Love cannot harm a neighbor; therefore, love fulfills the entire law.

The Coming of Christ

You know what hour it is. This is the time to wake up, for our salvation is now nearer than when we first believed.

The night is almost over, and the day is at hand. Let us discard, therefore, everything that belongs to darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

As we live in the whole light of day, let us act with decency, no banquets with drunkenness, no promiscuity or licentiousness, no fighting or jealousy.

Put on, rather, the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be led by the will of the flesh or follow its desires.