Romans 13:4

New International Reader's Version

The one in authority serves God for your good. But if you do wrong, watch out! Rulers don’t carry a sword for no reason at all. They serve God. And God is carrying out his anger through them. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong.

Cross References

1 Kings 10:9

May the Lord your God be praised. He takes great delight in you. He placed you on the throne of Israel. The Lord will love Israel for all time to come. That’s why he has made you king. He knows that you will do what is fair and right.”

2 Chronicles 19:6

He told the judges, “Think carefully about what you do. After all, you aren’t judging for human beings. You are judging for the Lord. He’s with you every time you make a decision.

Proverbs 16:14

An angry king can order your death. But a wise person will try to calm him down.

Proverbs 20:2

A king’s anger brings terror like a lion’s roar. Anyone who makes him angry may lose their life.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king gets rid of evil people. He runs the threshing wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:8

A king sits on his throne to judge. He gets rid of all evil when he sees it.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Help those who are treated badly. Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows.

Jeremiah 5:28

They have grown fat and heavy. There is no limit to the evil things they do. In court they do not seek justice. They don’t protect the rights of children whose fathers have died. They do not stand up for poor people.

Ezekiel 22:27

The officials in the land are like wolves that tear their food apart. They spill blood and kill people to get rich.

Ezekiel 25:14

I will use my people Israel to pay Edom back. They will punish Edom because my anger against it is great. They will know how I pay back my enemies,” announces the Lord and King.

Micah 3:9

Listen to me, you leaders of Jacob’s people! Pay attention, you rulers of Israel! You hate to do what is fair. You twist everything that is right.

Romans 12:19

My dear friends, don’t try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, “I am the God who judges people. I will pay them back,” (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord.

Romans 13:6

That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

None of you should sin against your brother or sister by doing that. You should not take advantage of your brother or sister. The Lord will punish everyone who commits these kinds of sins. We have already told you and warned you about this.

Joshua 20:5

Suppose the nearest male relative of the person killed chases the one charged with murder. Then the elders must not hand them over to that relative. That’s because that person didn’t mean to kill their neighbor. They didn’t make evil plans to do it.

Joshua 20:9

Suppose you kill someone by accident. Or another Israelite does it. Or an outsider who lives among you does it. Then any of you can run for safety to one of these cities that have been chosen. There you won’t be killed by the nearest male relative of the person killed by accident. First your case must be brought to the community court.

1 Peter 2:14

Obey the governors. The emperor sends them to punish those who do wrong. He also sends them to praise those who do right.