Romans 12:9–13:8

Love

⁹Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good. ¹⁰Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves. ¹¹Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.

¹²When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. ¹³Share with God’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.

¹⁴Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not call down curses on them. ¹⁵Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad. ¹⁶Agree with each other. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Don’t think that you are better than others.

¹⁷Don’t pay back evil with evil. Be careful to do what everyone thinks is right. ¹⁸If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.

¹⁹My friends, don’t try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, “I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ²⁰Do just the opposite. Scripture says,

“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.

If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads.”

²¹Don’t let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good.

Obey Those in Authority

13All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. ²So when you oppose the authorities, you are opposing those whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged.

³If you do what is right, you won’t need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don’t want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right. The one in authority will praise you. ⁴He serves God and will do you good. But if you do wrong, watch out! The ruler doesn’t carry a sword for no reason at all. He serves God. And God is carrying out his anger through him. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong.

⁵You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right.

⁶That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time. ⁷Give to everyone what you owe. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it.

Love, Because the Day Is Near

⁸Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe each other. Those who love others have done everything the law requires.