[13:1] Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.
[13:2] Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself.
[13:3] 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 those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you,
[13:4] because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil.
[13:5] For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
[13:6] That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties.
[13:7] Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.