Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.
Why you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually on this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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.
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 armor of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Canonical academic citations for Romans 13 (AKJV) — copy in your preferred format.
Romans 13 (AKJV). Prime Bible, accessed July 20, 2026. https://primebible.com/akjv/romans/13.
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Christians must submit to governing authorities as God’s servants, pay taxes, and fulfill the Law by loving their neighbor; the hour has come to cast off darkness and ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ.’
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