Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God, 2 so that he who is setting himself against the authority, has resisted against God’s ordinance; and those resisting will receive judgment to themselves. 3 For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and do you wish to not be afraid of the authority? Be doing that which is good, and you will have praise from it, 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good; and if you may do that which is evil, be fearing, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil. 5 For this reason it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience, 6 for because of this you also pay tribute; for they are servants of God, on this very thing attending continually; 7 render, therefore, to all [their] dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honor, the honor.