1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the 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 the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 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!