1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.

11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1 Iga hing olgu allaheitlik valitsemas olevaile ülemustele; sest ülemust ei ole muud kui Jumalalt; kus neid on, seal on nad Jumala poolt seatud.

2 Kes nüüd ülemusele vastu paneb, see paneb vastu Jumala korrale; aga kes vastu panevad, saadavad eneste peale nuhtluse.

3 Sest valitsejad ei ole hirmuks headele tegudele, vaid kurjadele. Kui sina aga ei taha tunda hirmu ülemuse ees, siis tee head, ja siis sa saad temalt kiitust.

4 Sest tema on Jumala teener sinu heaks; aga kui sa kurja teed, karda, sest ta ei kanna mõõka asjata; ta on Jumala teenija, kättemaksja nuhtluseks sellele, kes kurja teeb.

5 Siis on tarvis olla allaheitlik, mitte ainult nuhtluse, vaid ka südametunnistuse pärast.

6 Sellepärast makske ka makse; sest nemad on Jumala sulased, kes selleks peavad oma ametit.

7 Tasuge kõigile, mis teie kohus on: maksu, kellele maksu; tolliraha, kellele tolliraha; kartust, kellele kartust; au, kellele au tuleb anda!

8 Ärgu olgu teil midagi kellegagi võlgu, kui et te üksteist armastate, sest kes teist armastab, on käsu täitnud.

9 Sest käsk: „Sa ei tohi abielu rikkuda; sa ei tohi tappa; sa ei tohi varastada; sa ei tohi ülekohut tunnistada; sa ei tohi himustada", ja iga teine käsk on kokku võetud sellesse sõnasse: „Armasta oma ligimest nagu iseennast!"

10 Armastus ei tee ligimesele kurja; siis on armastus käsu täitmine.

11 Ja seda tehke sellepärast et te teate tunni juba käes olevat unest üles ärgata; sest nüüd on meie pääste lähemal kui siis, kui me usklikuks saime.

12 Öö on möödumas, aga päev on lähedal. Siis heitkem enestest ära pimeduse teod ja varustugem valguse relvadega!

13 Elagem ausasti nagu päeva ajal, mitte öistes pidutsemistes ega joominguis, mitte kiimaluses ega iharuses, mitte riius ega kadeduses,

14 vaid varustuge Issanda Jeesuse Kristusega ja ärge muutke liha eest hoolitsemist himude ärritamiseks!