Romans 13 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Respect for Authority

Rom 13:1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Rom 13:2

Rom 13:2So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

Rom 13:3

Rom 13:3For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.

Rom 13:4

Rom 13:4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

Rom 13:5

Rom 13:5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Rom 13:6

Rom 13:6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

Rom 13:7

Rom 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Love Fulfills God’s Requirements

(cf. Mar 12:31; Jas 2:8 )

Rom 13:8

Rom 13:8Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

Rom 13:9

Rom 13:9For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[fn] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[fn]

Rom 13:10

Rom 13:10Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Rom 13:11

Rom 13:11This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Rom 13:12

Rom 13:12The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

Rom 13:13

Rom 13:13Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

Rom 13:14

Rom 13:14Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

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NLT Footnotes

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