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.