Romans 13:4 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1895

⁴ for he is a 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 a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁴ For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁴ for he is a 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 a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

Common English Bible

⁴ It is God’s servant given for your benefit. But if you do what’s wrong, be afraid because it doesn’t have weapons to enforce the law for nothing. It is God’s servant put in place to carry out his punishment on those who do what is wrong.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁴ For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

⁴ For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

Romans 13:4 Cross References

1 Kings 10:9

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgement and justice.

2 Chronicles 19:6

and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD; and he is with you in the judgement.

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: But a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 20:2

The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:8

A king that sitteth on the throne of judgement Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

Isaiah 1:17

learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Jeremiah 5:28

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness: they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they should prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge,

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey; to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.

Ezekiel 25:14

And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel; and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury: and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD

Micah 3:9

Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, that abhor judgement, and pervert all equity.

Romans 12:19

Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.

Romans 13:6

For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

Joshua 20:5

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unawares, and hated him not beforetime.

Joshua 20:9

These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.

1 Peter 2:14

or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.