WALK HONESTLY

Photo provided by Marcia Oliveira

Let every soul be subject unto the higher 

powers. For there is no power but of 

God: the powers that be are ordained 

of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth 

the power, resisteth the ordinance 

of God: and they that resist shall 

receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good 

works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou 

then not be afraid of the power? do 

that which is good, and thou shalt 

have praise of the same:  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.  Wherefore 

ye must needs be subject, not only 

for wrath, but also for conscience 

sake.  For for this cause pay ye tribute 

also: for they are God’s ministers, 

attending continually upon this very 

thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: 

tribute to whom tribute is due; custom 

to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour 

to whom honour.  Owe no man any thing, 

but to love one another: for he that loveth 

another hath fulfilled the law.  For this, 

Thou shalt not commit adultery,  Thou 

shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal,  Thou 

shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not 

covet; and if there be any other commandment, 

it is briefly comprehended in this saying, 

namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as 

thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his 

neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling 

of the law.  And that, knowing the 

time, that now it is high time to awake out 

of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than 

when we believed.  The night is far spent, 

the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off 

the works of darkness, and let us put on the 

armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in 

the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, 

not in chambering and wantonness, not 

in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord 

Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the 

flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:1-14