Sométase toda persona^1a a las autoridades que gobiernan^b; porque no hay autoridad^c sino de² Dios, y las que existen, por Dios son constituidas. 2 Por consiguiente, el que resiste a la autoridad, a lo ordenado por Dios se ha opuesto; y los que se han opuesto, sobre sí recibirán condenación. 3 Porque los gobernantes no son motivo de temor para los de buena conducta¹, sino para el que hace el mal². ¿Deseas, pues, no temer a la autoridad? Haz lo bueno y tendrás elogios de ella^a, 4 pues es para ti un ministro¹ de Dios para bien. Pero si haces lo malo, teme; porque no en vano lleva la espada, pues ministro es de Dios, un vengador^a que castiga² al que practica lo malo. 5 Por tanto, es necesario someterse, nosolo por razón del castigo¹, sino también por causa de la conciencia^a. 6 Pues por esto también pagáis impuestos, porque los gobernantes son servidores de Dios, dedicados precisamente a esto. 7 Pagad a todos lo que debáis^a: al que impuesto^b, impuesto; al que tributo^c, tributo; al que temor, temor; al que honor, honor.

8 No debáis a nadie nada, sino el amaros unos a otros; porque el que ama a su prójimo¹, ha cumplido la ley^a. 9 Porque esto: NO COMETERÁS ADULTERIO, NO MATARÁS, NO HURTARÁS, NO CODICIARÁS^a, y cualquier¹ otro mandamiento, en estas palabras se resume: AMARÁS A TU PRÓJIMO COMO A TI MISMO^b. 10 El amor no hace mal¹ al prójimo; por tanto, el amor es el cumplimiento de la ley^a.

11 Y haced todo esto, conociendo el tiempo, que ya es hora^a de despertaros del sueño^b; porque ahora la salvación está más cerca de nosotros¹ que cuando creímos. 12 La noche está muy avanzada^a, y el día está cerca^b. Por tanto, desechemos¹ las obras de las tinieblas^c y vistámonos con las armas de la luz^d. 13 Andemos decentemente^a, como de día, no en orgías y borracheras, no en promiscuidad sexual y lujurias, no en pleitos y envidias^b; 14 antes bien, vestíos del Señor Jesucristo^a, y no penséis en proveer para las lujurias de la carne^b.

Every ^1aperson is to be in ^bsubjection to the governing authorities. For ^cthere is no authority except ²from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore ¹whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For ^arulers are not a cause of fear for ¹good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an ^aavenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also ^afor conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 ^aRender to all what is due them: ^btax to whom tax is due; ^ccustom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for ^ahe who loves ¹his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “^aYOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “^bYOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10 Love ¹does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore ^alove is the fulfillment of the law.

11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is ^aalready the hour for you to ^bawaken from sleep; for now ¹salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 ^aThe night is almost gone, and ^bthe day is near. Therefore let us lay aside ^cthe deeds of darkness and put on ^dthe armor of light. 13 Let us ^1abehave properly as in the day, ^bnot in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But ^aput on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh ^bin regard to its lusts.

Let every ^aperson be ^bsubject to the governing authorities. For ^cthere is no authority except from God granted by His permission and sanction, and those which exist have been put in place by God. Prov 8:15 2 Therefore whoever ¹resists governmental authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who have resisted it will bring judgment (civil penalty) on themselves. 3 For civil ^aauthorities are not a source of fear for people of good behavior, but for those who do evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation. 4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, you should be afraid; for he does not carry the executioner’s sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an ^aavenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject to civil authorities, not only to escape the punishment that comes with wrongdoing, but also ^aas a matter of principle knowing what is right before God. 6 For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance. 7 ^aPay to all what is due: ^btax to whom tax is due, ^ccustoms to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.

8 ¹Owe nothing to anyone except to ²love and seek the best for one another; for ^ahe who unselfishly loves his neighbor has fulfilled the essence of the law relating to one’s fellowman. Matt 22:36-40 9 The commandments, “^aYOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “^bYOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Ex 20:13-17; Lev 19:18 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor it never hurts anyone. Therefore unselfish ^alove is the fulfillment of the Law.

11 Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is ^aalready the hour for you to ^bawaken from your sleep of spiritual complacency; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed in Christ. 12 ^aThe night this present evil age is almost gone and ^bthe day of Christ’s return is almost here. So let us fling away ^cthe works of darkness and put on ^dthe full armor of light. 13 Let us ^aconduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the light of day, ^bnot in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But ^aclothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for nor even think about gratifying the flesh ^bin regard to its improper desires.