1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above {him}. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
2 So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who {thus} resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil {one}. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise {what is} good, and thou shalt have praise from it;
4 for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
6 For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God's officers, attending continually on this very thing.
7 Render to all their dues: to whom tribute {is due}, tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
8 Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not lust; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore {is the} whole law.
11 This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that *we* should be aroused out of sleep; for now {is} our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, and the day is near; let us cast away therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 As in the day, let us walk becomingly; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and lasciviousness, not in strife and emulation.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to {fulfil its} lusts.
1 政府的权柄， 人人都应当服从。因为没有一样权柄不是从 神来的； 掌权的都是 神设立的。
2 所以抗拒掌权的， 就是反对 神所设立的； 反对的人必自招刑罚。
3 执政的不是要使行善的惧怕， 而是要使作恶的惧怕。你想不怕掌权的吗？只要行善， 就会得到称赞；
4 因为他是 神的仆役， 是对你有益的。但如果你作恶， 就应当惧怕； 因为他佩剑， 不是没有作用的。他是 神的仆役， 是向作恶的人施行刑罚的。
5 所以你们必须服从， 不但是为了刑罚， 也是因为良心的缘故。
6 因此， 你们也当纳税， 因为他们是 神的差役， 专责处理这事的。
7 你们要向各人清还所欠的； 应当纳税的， 就要给他纳税； 应当进贡的， 就给他进贡； 应当敬畏的， 就敬畏他； 应当尊敬的， 就尊敬他。
8 不要欠人的债； 但在彼此相爱的事上， 要觉得是欠了人的债。爱别人的， 就成全了律法。
9 那"不可奸淫， 不可杀人， 不可偷盗， 不可贪心"等等的诫命， 都包括在"爱人如己"这一句话里面了。
10 爱是不加害于人的， 所以爱是成全律法的。
11 还有， 你们知道这是什么时期了， 现在正是你们应该睡醒的时候， 因为我们得救， 现在比初信的时候更加接近了。
12 黑夜已深， 白昼近了， 所以我们要除掉暗昧的行为， 带上光明的武器。
13 行事为人要光明磊落， 好像行在白昼。不可荒宴醉酒， 不可放荡纵欲， 不可纷争嫉妒。
14 总要披戴主耶稣基督， 不要为肉体安排， 去放纵私欲。