Romans 13:3

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will receive its approval.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    For rulers are not a terr to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

  • KJV1611 – Modern English

    For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

  • King James Version 1611 (Original)

    For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    For{G1063} rulers{G758} are{G1526} not{G3756} a terror{G5401} to{G2041} the good{G18} work,{G2041} but{G235} to{G2041} the evil.{G2556} And wouldest thou{G2309} have no{G3361} fear of{G5399} the power?{G1849} do{G4160} that which is good,{G18} and{G2532} thou shalt have{G2192} praise{G1868} from{G1537} the same:{G846}

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    For{G1063} rulers{G758} are{G1526}{(G5748)} not{G3756} a terror{G5401} to good{G18} works{G2041}, but{G235} to the evil{G2556}. Wilt thou{G2309}{(G5719)} then{G1161} not{G3361} be afraid{G5399}{(G5738)} of the power{G1849}? do{G4160}{(G5720)} that which is good{G18}, and{G2532} thou shalt have{G2192}{(G5692)} praise{G1868} of{G1537} the same{G846}:

  • Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

    For rulars are not to be feared for good workes but for evyll Wilt thou be with out feare of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praysed of the same.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    For rulers are not to be feared for good workes, but for euell. Yf thou wilt be without feare off the power, do well then, and thou shalt haue prayse of the same:

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    For Magistrates are not to be feared for good workes, but for euill. Wilt thou then bee without feare of the power? doe well: so shalt thou haue praise of the same.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    For rulers are not fearefull to good workes, but to the euyll. Wylt thou not feare the power? Do well, and thou shalt haue prayse of the same.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise;

  • World English Bible (2000)

    For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation

Referenced Verses

  • Deut 25:1 : 1 If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court for judgment, the judges shall justify the innocent and condemn the guilty.
  • Prov 14:35 : 35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
  • Prov 20:2 : 2 The roar of a king is like the growl of a young lion; whoever provokes him to anger risks his life.
  • Eccl 10:4-6 : 4 If the anger of a ruler rises against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness can lay great offenses to rest. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error that proceeds from a ruler: 6 Foolishness is set in high places, while the rich sit in lowly positions.
  • Jer 22:15-18 : 15 Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Your father ate and drank, but he practiced justice and righteousness, and it went well with him. 16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and it was well with him. Is this not what it means to know me? declares the LORD. 17 But your eyes and heart are set only on your dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, and on oppression and violence. 18 Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: They will not mourn for him, saying, 'Alas, my brother!' or 'Alas, my sister!' They will not mourn for him, saying, 'Alas, my lord!' or 'Alas, his majesty!'
  • Rom 13:4 : 4 For the ruler is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God's servant, an avenger who carries out wrath on the wrongdoer.
  • 1 Pet 3:13-14 : 13 Who then will harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated.
  • 1 Pet 2:13-14 : 13 Submit yourselves to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Rom 13:4-7
    4 verses
    88%

    4 For the ruler is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God's servant, an avenger who carries out wrath on the wrongdoer.

    5 Therefore, it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.

    6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are servants of God, continually attending to this very thing.

    7 Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs are due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

  • 1 Pet 2:13-18
    6 verses
    82%

    13 Submit yourselves to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as the one in authority,

    14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good.

    15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish people.

    16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

    17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

    18 Servants, submit yourselves with all respect to your masters, not only to those who are good and gentle but also to those who are harsh.

  • Rom 13:1-2
    2 verses
    80%

    1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God.

    2 Therefore, whoever resists authority is resisting what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

  • Titus 3:1-2
    2 verses
    78%

    1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, and to be ready for every good work.

    2 Speak evil of no one, avoid quarrels, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy to everyone.

  • 1 Pet 3:12-14
    3 verses
    75%

    12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

    13 Who then will harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

    14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated.

  • 1 Tim 2:2-3
    2 verses
    72%

    2 for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

    3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

  • Job 13:11
    72%

    11 Wouldn't His majesty terrify you, and the dread of Him fall upon you?

  • Eph 6:9
    70%

    9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way, without threatening them, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

  • Col 3:22
    69%

    22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

  • Heb 13:17
    69%

    17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Allow them to do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

  • Prov 24:21
    69%

    21 Fear the LORD, my son, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels.

  • 1 Pet 3:17
    69%

    17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

  • Lev 25:43
    69%

    43 Do not rule over them harshly, but fear your God.

  • 2 Sam 23:3
    69%

    3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'The one who rules over people must be righteous, ruling in the fear of God.'

  • Prov 29:2
    69%

    2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked ruler governs, the people groan.

  • Eccl 8:3-4
    2 verses
    69%

    3 Do not be quick to leave the king’s presence, and do not insist on an evil matter, for the king will do whatever he pleases.

    4 Since the king’s word has authority, who can question him, saying, 'What are you doing?'

  • 3 John 1:11
    68%

    11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

  • Eph 6:5
    68%

    5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with sincerity of heart, as you would Christ.

  • Col 3:25
    68%

    25 But the one who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no favoritism.

  • Ps 37:1
    68%

    1 Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy those who commit injustice.

  • Prov 20:2
    68%

    2 The roar of a king is like the growl of a young lion; whoever provokes him to anger risks his life.

  • Exod 22:28
    68%

    28 Do not hold back offerings from your harvest or your wine presses. You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

  • Eph 6:7
    68%

    7 Serve with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to people,

  • Prov 17:26
    67%

    26 It is not good to punish the righteous or to strike nobles for their integrity.

  • 2 Pet 2:10
    67%

    10 especially those who follow the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. They are bold and arrogant, and they are unafraid to slander celestial beings.

  • Job 19:29
    67%

    29 be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings punishment by the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.

  • Ps 125:4
    67%

    4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good and to those who are upright in heart.

  • Prov 3:31
    67%

    31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways.

  • Luke 12:5
    67%

    5 But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after killing, has the authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

  • Job 34:18
    67%

    18 Is it right to say to a king, 'You are worthless,' or to nobles, 'You are wicked'?

  • Prov 24:19
    67%

    19 Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy the wicked.

  • Eccl 8:13
    67%

    13 But it will not go well for the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not fear God.

  • Prov 3:27
    67%

    27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is within your power to act.

  • Rom 2:3
    67%

    3 Do you think this, O person who judges those who practice such things, yet does the same yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment?

  • Deut 13:11
    67%

    11 Stone him to death because he sought to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

  • 1 Pet 3:9
    67%

    9 Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary, give a blessing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing.

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