Romans 13:4-6

Living Bible

⁴ The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose. ⁵ Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.

⁶ Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God’s work, serving you.