131 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities . For there is no authority except from God , and those which exist are established by God . 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God ; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves . 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior , but for evil . Do you want to have no fear of authority ? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same ; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good . But if you do what is evil , be afraid ; for it does not bear the sword for nothing ; for it is a minister of God , an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil . 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection , not only because of wrath , but also for conscience' sake . 6 For because of this you also pay taxes , for rulers are servants of God , devoting themselves to this very thing .
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear ; honor to whom honor . 8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another ; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law . 9 For this , " YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY , YOU SHALL NOT MURDER , YOU SHALL NOT STEAL , YOU SHALL NOT COVET ," and if there is any other commandment , it is summed up in this saying , " YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF ." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor ; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law .
11 Do this , knowing the time , that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep ; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed . 12 The night is almost gone , and the day is near . Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light . 13 Let us behave properly as in the day , not in carousing and drunkenness , not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality , not in strife and jealousy . 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts .
