Romans 13:4-6

New International Reader's Version

⁴ The one in authority serves God for your good. But if you do wrong, watch out! Rulers don’t carry a sword for no reason at all. They serve God. And God is carrying out his anger through them. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong. ⁵ You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right.

⁶ That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time.