Submission to Authorities
(1 Peter 2:13–20)

1Let every soul be subject to the powers that are over them: for there is no such power but from God: the powers that are over men, are appointed by God. 2So that he who resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive condemnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wouldest thou then not be afraid of the civil power? do what is good, and thou shalt have praise from it: 4for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou dost evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is also the minister of God, as an avenger to execute his wrath upon the malefactor. 5Wherefore it is necessary to submit, not only on account of punishment, but also of conscience. 6For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto. 7Render therefore to all what is their due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honor to whom honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8Owe no one any thing, but to love one another; for he that loveth others hath fulfilled the law: 9for this command, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet, and every other social precept, is summed up in this, namely, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 10Love worketh no evil to our neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The Day Is Near

11And this let us observe, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. 12The 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. 13Let us behave decently as being in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lasciviousness, not in strife and envying. 14But put on the Lord Jesus, and make not provision for the flesh to gratify its irregular desires.