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.
服從政府的權柄
1人人都要服從政府的權柄，因為所有的權柄都是出於上帝。現存的政權都是上帝設立的。 2所以，抗拒權柄，就是抗拒上帝的命令，抗拒的人必自招懲罰。 3掌權者不是叫行善的懼怕，而是叫作惡的懼怕。你想不怕掌權的嗎？就要行得正，這樣你會得到稱讚。 4要知道掌權者是上帝差遣的，對行得正的人有益處。然而，你若作惡，就該懼怕，因為他必將你繩之以法13·4 「他必將你繩之以法」希臘文是「他配劍，不只是作作樣子的」。。他是上帝的僕人，代表上帝秉公行義，懲奸罰惡。 5所以，你們必須服從，不單是為了避免受到懲罰，也是為了良心無愧。
6你們納稅也是為了同樣的緣故，因為官長是上帝的僕人，負責管理這類事務。 7凡是別人該得的，都要給他。該得米糧的，就納糧給他；該得稅款的，就繳稅給他；該懼怕的，就懼怕他；該尊敬的，就尊敬他。
愛鄰如己
8凡事都不可虧欠人，但在彼此相愛方面要常常覺得做得不夠。一個人愛別人，就成全了律法。 9因為「不可通姦、不可殺人、不可偷竊、不可貪婪」以及其他誡命，都可以總結成一句話——「愛鄰如己」。 10人若有愛心，就不會作惡害人，所以愛成全了律法。
11還有，要知道現今是你們該醒過來的時候了！因為與初信的時候相比，我們得救的日子更近了。 12黑夜已深，天將破曉，我們要除掉黑暗的行為，穿上光明的盔甲13·12 「穿上光明的盔甲」或譯「帶上光明的兵器」。。 13我們要為人端正，光明磊落，不可荒宴醉酒、好色邪蕩、嫉妒紛爭。 14你們要活出主耶穌基督的榮美13·14 「活出主耶穌基督的榮美」希臘文是「穿上主耶穌基督」。，不要只顧放縱罪惡本性的私慾。
