13Everyone must obey the state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. ²Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgement on himself. ³For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, ⁴because they are God’s servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God’s servants and carry out God’s punishment on those who do evil. ⁵For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God’s punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

⁶^*That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfil their duties. ⁷^*Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honour for them all.

Read in Logos

Romans 13:3: For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval …

Cross references

*13.6, 7: Mt 22:21; Mk 12:17; Lk 20:25
*13.6, 7: Mt 22:21; Mk 12:17; Lk 20:25