LET every soul be subject to the superior powers: for there is no power but from God; the existing powers are appointed by God. 2Wherefore he that sets himself against authority, resists the ordinance of God: and they who resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it: 4for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil. 5Wherefore there is a necessity for being in subjection, not only for fear of wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God’s ministers, continually employed on this very service. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. 8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10Love doeth no ill to a neighbour; the fulfilment therefore of the law is love. 11And thus do, knowing the time; for the hour is come that we should awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far advanced, the day approaches: let us therefore put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk becomingly as in the face of day, not in revels and drunkenness, not in impurities and wantonness, not in strife and envy. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to gratify its passions.
[CHAP. XIV.]
HIM that is weak in faith take by the hand, and enter not into niceties of disputes. 2One man indeed thinketh he may eat all meats; another, who is weak, eateth vegetables. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth; for God hath accepted him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth; but he shall be established: for God is able to establish him. 5One man judgeth one day different from another day: another judgeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that observeth a day, to the Lord he observeth it; and he that observeth not a day, to the Lord he doth not observe it. He that eateth, to the Lord he eateth, for he giveth thanks to God; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth thanks to God. 7For no one of us liveth to himself, and no one dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, to the Lord we live, and whether we die, to the Lord we die; whether therefore we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose again, and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? And thou, why dost thou disparage thy brother? for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. 11For it is written, “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall make confession to God[80].” 12Assuredly then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. 13Let us therefore no more judge one another; but judge this rather, that no one put a stumbling-block or offence before his brother. 14I know, and am convinced by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who thinketh any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if by meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no more according to love. Do not by thy meat destroy him for whom Christ died. 16Let not therefore food, which is good for you, give occasion of reproach. 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18For he who in these things is the servant of Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19Well then, let us earnestly pursue the things that conduce to peace, and the things which are for mutual edification. 20For the sake of meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are clean; but it is an evil thing for a man to eat, giving offence. 21It is laudable not to eat flesh, or to drink wine, nor to do any thing whereby thy brother is stumbled, or scandalized, or weakened. 22Hast thou faith, exercise it before God within thyself. Blessed is the man who condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth. 23But he that maketh a difference between meats, if he eat is condemned, because he doth it not by faith: for every thing which is not of faith, is sin.
[CHAP. XV.]
WE then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of those who are feeble, and not to gratify ourselves. 2Let every one of us gratify his neighbour in that which is good for his edification. 3For even Christ gratified not himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me[81].” 4For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our instruction; that by patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5Now the God of patience and consolation give you to be like-minded among each other, according to Christ Jesus: 6that in one mind, with one mouth, ye may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore help one another, as Christ also hath helped us, for the glory of God.
8Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written[82], “For this cause will I confess unto thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” 10And again he saith[83], “Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.” 11And again[84], “Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and laud him, all ye people.” 12And again Isaiah saith, “There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that ariseth to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust[85].” 13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy, and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost.
14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. 15But I have written to you, my brethren, in part, with greater freedom, as refreshing your memory through the grace which is given to me of God; 16that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17I have therefore cause to glory in Christ Jesus with regard to the things of God. 18For I will not dare to say any thing of those things which Christ hath not wrought by my ministry, to engage the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and miracles, by the might of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and in a circle quite round unto Illyricum, I have fully spread the gospel of Christ. 20But I have in such manner endeavoured to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name had been heard, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: 21but as it is written[86], “To whom the tidings concerning him have not reached, they shall see, and they who have not heard, shall understand.” 22Wherefore also I have found many things to hinder me from coming to you; 23but now having no longer cause to detain me in these regions, and having an earnest desire to come unto you for many years past, 24whenever I proceed on my journey into Spain, I will come unto you: for I hope on my journey to see you, and by you to be forwarded thither, after I shall have first, in a measure, fully enjoyed your society. 25But I am now going to Jerusalem, to carry alms to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints that are at Jerusalem. 27They have been so pleased indeed, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been admitted to a participation in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things. 28When therefore I have completed this work, and sealed unto them this fruit, I will pass by you into Spain. 29But I know that, when I come to you, I shall come with the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30Now I exhort you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you wrestle earnestly with me in prayers for me unto God; 31that I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea; and that my service which regards Jerusalem may be kindly accepted by the saints; 32that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
33Now the God of peace be with you all! Amen.