Obey Those in Authority
1All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged. 3If you do what is right, you won’t need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don’t want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right, and you will be praised. 4The one in authority serves God for your good. But if you do wrong, watch out! Rulers don’t carry a sword for no reason at all. They serve God. And God is carrying out his anger through them. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong. 5You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right.
6That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time. 7Give to everyone what you owe them. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it.
Love Fulfills the Law
8Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe one another. Whoever loves other people has done everything the law requires. 9Here are some commandments to think about. “Do not commit adultery.” “Do not commit murder.” “Do not steal.” “Do not want what belongs to others.” (Exodus 20:13–15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17–19,21) These and all other commands are included in one command. Here’s what it is. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) 10Love does not harm its neighbor. So love does everything the law requires.
The Day Is Near
11When you do these things, keep in mind the times we are living in. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. The full effects of our salvation are closer now than when we first believed in Christ. 12The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ’s return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness that harm us. Let us do the works of light that protect us. 13Let us act as we should, like people living in the daytime. Have nothing to do with wild parties, and don’t get drunk. Don’t take part in sexual sins or evil conduct. Don’t fight with each other or be jealous of anyone. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if he were your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy sinful desires.
服从政府的权柄
1人人都要服从政府的权柄，因为所有的权柄都是出于上帝。现存的政权都是上帝设立的。 2所以，抗拒权柄，就是抗拒上帝的命令，抗拒的人必自招惩罚。 3掌权者不是叫行善的惧怕，而是叫作恶的惧怕。你想不怕掌权的吗？就要行得正，这样你会得到称赞。 4要知道掌权者是上帝差遣的，对行得正的人有益处。然而，你若作恶，就该惧怕，因为他必将你绳之以法13:4 “他必将你绳之以法”希腊文是“他配剑，不只是作作样子的”。。他是上帝的仆人，代表上帝秉公行义，惩奸罚恶。 5所以，你们必须服从，不单是为了避免受到惩罚，也是为了良心无愧。
6你们纳税也是为了同样的缘故，因为官长是上帝的仆人，负责管理这类事务。 7凡是别人该得的，都要给他。该得米粮的，就纳粮给他；该得税款的，就缴税给他；该惧怕的，就惧怕他；该尊敬的，就尊敬他。
爱邻如己
8凡事都不可亏欠人，但在彼此相爱方面要常常觉得做得不够。一个人爱别人，就成全了律法。 9因为“不可通奸、不可杀人、不可偷窃、不可贪婪”以及其他诫命，都可以总结成一句话——“爱邻如己”。 10人若有爱心，就不会作恶害人，所以爱成全了律法。
11还有，要知道现今是你们该醒过来的时候了！因为与初信的时候相比，我们得救的日子更近了。 12黑夜已深，天将破晓，我们要除掉黑暗的行为，穿上光明的盔甲13:12 “穿上光明的盔甲”或译“带上光明的兵器”。。 13我们要为人端正，光明磊落，不可荒宴醉酒、好色邪荡、嫉妒纷争。 14你们要活出主耶稣基督的荣美13:14 “活出主耶稣基督的荣美”希腊文是“穿上主耶稣基督”。，不要只顾放纵罪恶本性的私欲。
