The letter to the
CHRISTIANS
at Rome
Honour all authority - especially that of Rome!
Chapter Thirteen
God is in control of all
01 Let every [Christian] soul be subject to the higher powers [or authorities]. For there is no power b therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance [or command ] ofut of God. The powers that be are ordained of [or from] God. 02 Whoever God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 03 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but [only] to the evil [or criminal ones]. Note 2
Will you then not be afraid of the power? [Do you want to know how to live with authority?] Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: 04 for he [the political power] is the minister of God to you for good.
But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath [or the result of a choice] upon him that does evil. Note 3
Do it because you want to
05 Wherefore you must needs be subject [or obedient], not only for [or because of] wrath [the result], but also for conscience sake [because you want to be a law keeper]. Note 4
06 For this cause pay you tribute [or taxes] also: for they are God's [earthly] ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 07 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear [or respect] to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Note 5
08 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the Law. Note 6
09 For this,
You shall not commit adultery,
You shall not kill,
You shall not steal,
You shall not bear false witness,
You shall not covet;
and if there be any other commandment,
it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
10 Love works no ill [or hurt] to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law. Note 7
But get ready
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness [or sleeping around], not in strife and envying. 14 But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision [or excuse] for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it. Note 8
oooOooo
On to
Chapter Fourteen of the Letter
.................
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