mixing religion and politics

¹Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. ²And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. ³For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. ⁴For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. ⁵For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. ⁶Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

²¹They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Then render to Caesar what is of Caesar; and to God what is of God.”

¹And so I beg you, first of all, to make supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for all men, ²for kings, and for all who are in high places, so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity. ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to arrive at an acknowledgment of the truth.

²When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.

¹⁸We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin. Instead, rebirth in God preserves him, and the evil one cannot touch him. ¹⁹We know that we are of God, and that the entire world is established in wickedness.

¹Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.

¹Do not imitate evil men, nor desire to be among them. ²For their mind meditates on robberies, and their lips speak deceptions. ³By wisdom shall a house be built, and by prudence shall it be strengthened. ⁴By doctrine, the storerooms shall be filled with every substance that is precious and most beautiful. ⁵A wise man is strong, and a well-taught man is robust and valiant. ⁶For war is undertaken in an orderly manner, and safety shall be where there are many counsels.

¹The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, in order to make known to his servants the things that must soon occur, and which he signified by sending his Angel to his servant John;

²for kings, and for all who are in high places, so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity.

¹And so I beg you, first of all, to make supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for all men, ²for kings, and for all who are in high places, so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity.

³⁷If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe in me.

⁴For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.

⁷Therefore, render to all whatever is owed. Taxes, to whom taxes is due; revenue, to whom revenue is due; fear, to whom fear is due; honor, to whom honor is due.

²⁶But if anyone considers himself to be religious, but he does not restrain his tongue, but instead seduces his own heart: such a one’s religion is vanity.

¹⁵And so, when he realized that they were going to come and take him away and make him king, Jesus fled back to the mountain, by himself alone.

²⁷This is religion, clean and undefiled before God the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to keep yourself immaculate, apart from this age.

¹¹to choose work that allows you to be tranquil, and to carry out your business and to do your work with your own hands, just as we have instructed you, ¹²and to walk honestly with those who are outside, and to desire nothing belonging to another.

³³Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.

¹⁷The tree that you saw was lofty and strong; its height reached toward heaven, and it could be seen throughout the whole world.

²And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves.

³For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them.

³⁷All that the Father gives to me shall come to me. And whoever comes to me, I will not cast out. ³⁸For I descended from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹Yet this is the will of the Father who sent me: that I should lose nothing out of all that he has given to me, but that I should raise them up on the last day. ⁴⁰So then, this is the will of my Father who sent me: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” ⁴¹Therefore, the Jews murmured about him, because he had said: “I am the living bread, who descended from heaven.” ⁴²And they said: “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? Then how can he say: ‘For I descended from heaven?’ ”

⁶Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this. ⁷Therefore, render to all whatever is owed. Taxes, to whom taxes is due; revenue, to whom revenue is due; fear, to whom fear is due; honor, to whom honor is due.