Romans 13:4

James Moffatt - New Testament

the magistrate is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, you may well be alarmed; a magistrate does not wield the power of the sword for nothing, he is God's servant for the infliction of divine vengeance upon evil-doers.

Cross References

Romans 12:19

Never revenge yourselves, beloved, but let the Wrath of God have its way; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will exact a requital — the Lord has said it. No,

1 Thessalonians 4:6

no one is to defraud or overreach his brother in this matter, for the Lord avenges all these sins, as we told you already in our solemn protest against them.

Romans 13:6

for the same reason as you pay taxes — since magistrates are God's officers, bent upon the maintenance of order and authority.

1 Peter 2:14

and to governors as deputed by him for the punishment of wrongdoers and the encouragement of honest people —