1. Let every soul be subject to higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, but the existing authorities have been ordained by God.
2. So that the one resisting authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and the ones opposing will receive judgment to themselves.
3. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire not to fear the authority? Do the good, and you will have praise from it;
4. for it is a servant of God to you for the good. But if you practice evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing bad things.
5. Because of this, it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
6. For on this account you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God, always giving attention to this very thing.
7. Then give to all their dues: to the one due tax, the tax; to the one due tribute, the tribute; to the one due fear, the fear; to the one due honor, the honor.
8. Do not continue to owe no one, nothing, except to love one another. For the one loving the other has fulfilled the Law.
9. For, "Do not commit adultery," "do not murder," "do not steal," do not bear false witness, "do not lust," Ex. 20:13-15, 17 and if there is any other commandment, in this word it is summed up, in the words, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18
10. Love does not work evil to the neighbor. Then love is the fulfillment of Law.
11. Also this, knowing the time, that it is now the hour for you to be aroused from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
12. The night is far gone, and the day has drawn near; then let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the weapons of the light.
13. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in carousings and drunkennesses, not in co-habitation and lustful acts, not in fighting and envy.
14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make forethought of the flesh, for its lusts.