Romans 12:9–13:8

Christian Ethics

⁹Love must be without hypocrisy. ^yDetest evil; ^zcling to what is good. ¹⁰Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. ^aOutdo one another in showing honor. ^b11Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; ^cserve the Lord. ^d12Rejoice in hope; ^ebe patient in affliction; ^fbe persistent in prayer. ^g13Share with the saints in their needs; ^hpursue hospitality. ⁱ¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; ^jbless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; ^kweep with those who weep. ¹⁶Be in agreement with one another. ^lDo not be proud; ^minstead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ⁿ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. ^oTry to do what is honorable ^pin everyone’s eyes. ¹⁸If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. ^q19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His ^rwrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, ^stsays the Lord. ²⁰But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him. ^u

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. ^vw

²¹Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

A Christian’s Duties to the State

13Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, ^xfor there is no authority except from God, ^yand those that exist are instituted by God. ²So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers are not a terror ^zto good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. ⁴For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger ^athat brings wrath on the one who does wrong. ⁵Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. ^b6And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. ^c7Pay your obligations ^dto everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, ^etolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, ^fand honor to those you owe honor.

Love, Our Primary Duty

⁸Do not owe anyone anything, ^gexcept to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ^h