Romans 13:4

New English Translation

for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

Cross References

1 Kings 10:9

May the Lord your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on the throne of Israel! Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he made you king so you could make just and right decisions.”

2 Chronicles 19:6

He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.

Proverbs 16:14

A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

Proverbs 20:2

The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:8

A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!

Jeremiah 5:28

That is how they have grown fat and sleek. There is no limit to the evil things they do. They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor.

Ezekiel 22:27

Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey – shedding blood and destroying lives – so they can get dishonest profit.

Ezekiel 25:14

I will exact my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel. They will carry out in Edom my anger and rage; they will experience my vengeance, declares the sovereign Lord.’”

Micah 3:9

Listen to this, you leaders of the family of Jacob, you rulers of the nation of Israel! You hate justice and pervert all that is right.

Romans 12:19

Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 13:6

For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

Joshua 20:5

When the avenger of blood comes after him, they must not hand over to him the one who committed manslaughter, for he accidentally killed his fellow man without premeditation.

Joshua 20:9

These were the cities of refuge appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly.

1 Peter 2:14

or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.