1 LET every person be obedient to the superior authorities. For there is no authority except from God and the actual authorities have been appointed by God.2 So he who resists the authority opposes the arrangement of God. Those who resist will bring on themselves condemnation.3 For rulers are not a terror to good deeds, but to bad. Do you wish not to fear the authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from it.4 For he is a servant of God to promote your good. But if you are doing evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword to no purpose. For he is God's servant to inflict his wrath on him who practices evil.5 Therefore we must be obedient, not only because of the punishment but as a matter of conscience.6 For this reason also you pay tribute. For they are God's officers attending to this very thing.7 Pay to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.