Romans 13:3

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.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • 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 judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
  • Prov 14:35 : 35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.
  • Prov 20:2 : 2 The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
  • Eccl 10:4-6 : 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
  • Jer 22:15-18 : 15 Shall you reign, because you enclose yourself in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? says the LORD. 17 But your eyes and your heart are set only on your covetousness, and on shedding innocent blood, and on oppression, and on violence, to do it. 18 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
  • Rom 13:4 : 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who does evil.
  • 1 Pet 3:13-14 : 13 And who is he who will harm you if you are followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled;
  • 1 Pet 2:13-14 : 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme, 14 Or to governors, as to those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of 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 he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who does evil.

    5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.

    6 For this reason, pay your taxes also, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.

    7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

  • 82%

    13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme,

    14 Or to governors, as to those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

    15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

    16 As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

    17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

    18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

  • Rom 13:1-2
    2 verses
    80%

    1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God.

    2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist shall bring judgment upon themselves.

  • Titus 3:1-2
    2 verses
    78%

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

    2 To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

  • 75%

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

    13 And who is he who will harm you if you are followers of what is good?

    14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled;

  • 1 Tim 2:2-3
    2 verses
    72%

    2 For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

    3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

  • 11 Shall not his excellence make you afraid, and his dread fall upon you?

  • 9 And, you masters, do the same things to them, refraining from threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

  • 22 Servants, obey in all things your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing God.

  • 17 Obey those who rule over you, and submit to them, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

  • 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those given to change.

  • 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

  • 43 You shall not rule over him with rigor; but shall fear your God.

  • 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

  • 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

  • Eccl 8:3-4
    2 verses
    69%

    3 Do not be hasty to go out of his presence; do not stand in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.

    4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'

  • 11 Beloved, do not follow what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: but he who does evil has not seen God.

  • 5 Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;

  • 25 But he who does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.

  • 1 Do not worry because of evildoers, nor be envious of those who work iniquity.

  • 2 The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.

  • 28 You shall not revile the gods nor curse the ruler of your people.

  • 7 With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men;

  • 26 Also, to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

  • 10 And especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed, and not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • 29 Be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.

  • 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.

  • 31 Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

  • 5 But I will warn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, who after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.

  • 18 Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? And to princes, You are ungodly?

  • 19 Do not fret because of evil men, neither be envious of the wicked.

  • 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, nor will he prolong his days, which are like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

  • 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

  • 3 And do you think this, O man, who judges those who do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?

  • 11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this among you.

  • 9 Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.