| Some Bibles are not Scriptural! |
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| KING JAMES |
NEW AMERICAN BIBLE |
LIVING BIBLE |
GOOD NEWS |
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Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is
no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
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Let everyone obey the authorities that are over him, for there
is no authority except from God, and all authority that exists is
established by God.
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Obey the government, for God is the one who has put
it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed
in power. |
Everyone must obey the state authorities, because
no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing
authorities have been put there by God. |
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2 Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. |
2 As a consequence, the man who
opposes authority rebels against the ordinance of God; those who
resist thus shall draw condemnation down upon themselves. |
2 So those who refuse
to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and
punishment will follow. |
2 Whoever opposes the
existing authority opposes what God has ordered: and anyone who
does so will bring judgement on himself. |
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3 For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?
do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: |
3 Rulers cause no fear when a man
does what is right but only when his conduct is evil. Do you wish
to be free from the fear of authority? Do what is right and you
will gain its approval, |
3 For the policeman
does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil
will always fear him. So if you don't want to be afraid, keep the
laws and you will get along well.
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3 For rulers are not
to be feared by those who do good but by those who do evil. Would
you like to be unafraid of the man in authority? Then do what is
good, and he will praise you. |
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4 For he is the minister of God to
thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for
he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a
revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. |
4 for the ruler is God's servant to
work for your good. Only if you do wrong ought you to be afraid.
It is not without purpose that the ruler carries the sword; he is
God's servant, to inflict his avenging wrath upon the wrongdoer. |
4 The policeman is
sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of
course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is
sent by God for that very purpose. |
4 For he is God's
servant working for your own good. But if you do evil, be afraid
of him, because his power to punish is real. He is God's servant
and carries out God's wrath on those who do evil. |
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5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,
not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. |
5 You must obey, then, not only to
escape punishment but also for conscience' sake. |
5 Obey the laws,
then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and
second, just because you know you should.
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5 For this reason
you must obey the authorities -- not just because of God's wrath,
but also as a matter of conscience.
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| 6 For
for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing. |
6 You pay taxes for the same reason, magistrates being God's ministers
who devote themselves to his service with unremitting care. |
6 Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons.
For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on
doing God's work, serving you. |
6 This is also the reason that you pay taxes,
because the authorities are working for God when they fulfil their
duties. |
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Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is
due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour. |
7 Pay
each one his due: taxes to whom taxes are due; toll to whom toll
is due; respect and honor to everyone who deserves them. |
7 Pay everyone whatever he ought to have: pay
your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give
honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.
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7 Pay, then, what you owe them: pay them your
personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them. |
