Let every soul be subject to governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God,
and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God,
and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.
Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?
Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
For He is God’s minister to you for good.
But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain;
for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath
but also for conscience sake.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers
attending continually to this very thing.
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due,
Customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour,
Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,
THE MAN CHRIST JESUS,
who gave Himself a ransom for all , to be testified in due time.
AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER.
OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE
THERE WILL BE NO END.
Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people.
When righteous are in authority,
The people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules,
The people groan.
