Romans 13:4

New International Version

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Cross References

1 Kings 10:9

Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

2 Chronicles 19:6

He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.

Proverbs 16:14

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.

Proverbs 20:2

A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:8

When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Jeremiah 5:28

and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.

Ezekiel 22:27

Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

Ezekiel 25:14

I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ ”

Micah 3:9

Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right;

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 13:6

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

Joshua 20:5

If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought.

Joshua 20:9

Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

1 Peter 2:14

or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.