| 1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. |
| 2 | Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. |
| 3 | For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, |
| 4 | for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. |
| 5 | Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. |