What about
Romans 13?
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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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. | 5 For this reason you must obey the authorities -- not just because of God's wrath, but also as a matter of conscience. |
| 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. |
| 7 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. | 7 Pay, then, what you owe them: pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them. |
Source: http://romans13.embassyofheaven.com/translationcomp.htm
