9Let love be unfeigned. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In brotherly love, 10be kindly affectioned one to another; in honor, preferring one another; 11in diligence, not slothful; in spirit, fervent, serving the Lord; 12in hope, rejoicing; in affliction, patient; in prayer, persevering; 13communicating to the necessities of the saints[13]; given to hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Aspire not to things that are high, but condescend to the lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no one evil for evil. Provide things honorable in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as far as depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath [of God]. For it is written: To me belongs vengeance; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20Therefore,
If thy enemy hungers, feed him;
If he thirsts, give him drink.
For, in doing this,
Thou wilt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
XIII. Let every soul submit himself to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God; the powers that be have been ordained by God. 2So that he who resists the power, resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist will receive to themselves condemnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. And dost thou wish not to be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou wilt have praise from it; 4for he is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil. 5Wherefore it is necessary to submit yourselves, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6For, for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8Owe no one anything, but to love one another; for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. 9For this: Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet; and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10Love works no ill to one's neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11And that, knowing the time, that it is high time that we already were awaked out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far advanced, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lewdness and wantonness, not in strife and envying; 14but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
XIV. Him that is weak in faith receive; not for the decision of disputes. 2For one believes, that he may eat all things; but he that is weak eats herbs. 3Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him that eats not judge him that eats; for God received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he shall be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.
5One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives thanks to God.