Romans 13:4-6

New Matthew Bible

⁴ For he is the minister of God for your welfare. But if you do wrong, then fear. For he does not bear a sword for nothing, but is the minister of God to take vengeance on those who do evil. ⁵ Therefore you must obey – not for fear of vengeance only, but also because of conscience. ⁶ And also for this reason, pay tribute. For the Roman authorities are God’s ministers, serving for the same purpose.