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Romans 13

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

  1. 1
    KJVLet every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
    WEBLet every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
  2. 2
    KJVWhosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
    WEBTherefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
  3. 3
    KJVFor 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:
    WEBFor rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
  4. 4
    KJVFor 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.
    WEBfor he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
  5. 5
    KJVWherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
    WEBTherefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
  6. 6
    KJVFor for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
    WEBFor this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.
  7. 7
    KJVRender therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
    WEBTherefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
  8. 8
    KJVOwe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
    WEBOwe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
  9. 9
    KJVFor 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.
    WEBFor the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
  10. 10
    KJVLove worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
    WEBLove doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
  11. 11
    KJVAnd 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.
    WEBDo this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
  12. 12
    KJVThe 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.
    WEBThe night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
  13. 13
    KJVLet us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
    WEBLet’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
  14. 14
    KJVBut put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
    WEBBut put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
  • King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
  • World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.