Which Bible translation is shown on Romans 13?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in Romans 13?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

Romans 13 (WEB) — Full Text

New Testament

Romans 13

1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

2Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

3For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

5Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

7Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.

12The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.

13Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Paul unfolds the gospel, justification, new life, Israel, community, and transformed practice. Read Romans 13 within the complete Romans overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Romans 13

Romans 13 contains 14 verses and about 355 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 14 closes: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include therefore, authority, love, good, evil, taxes. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Romans 13

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Romans 13:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.