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.

⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, as well as arguments against the law. For these are useless and empty.

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.

²⁹But Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: “It is necessary to obey God, more so than men.

¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his inheritance.

¹⁷Therefore, tell us, how does it seem to you? Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar, or not?” ¹⁸But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the coin of the census tax.” And they offered him a denarius. ²⁰And Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” 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.”

⁷If one of your brothers, who dwells within the gates of your city, in the land which the Lord your God will give to you, falls into poverty, you shall not harden your heart, nor tighten your hand. ⁸Instead, you shall open your hand to the poor, and you shall lend to him whatever you perceive him to need. ⁹Take care, lest perhaps an impious thought might creep within you, and you might say in your heart: ‘The seventh year of remission approaches.’ And so you might turn your eyes away from your poor brother, unwilling to lend to him what he has asked. If so, then he may cry out against you to the Lord, and it will be a sin for you. ¹⁰Instead, you shall give to him. Neither shall you do anything craftily while assisting him in his needs, so that the Lord your God may bless you, at all times and in all things to which you will put your hand. ¹¹The poor will not be absent from the land of your habitation. For this reason, I instruct you to open your hand to your indigent and poor brother, who lives among you in the land.

²¹And he alters the times and the ages. He takes away kingdoms and he establishes them. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and teaching skills to those who understand.

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.

²⁰But our way of life is in heaven. And from heaven, too, we await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

¹⁸And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

²⁴No one is able to serve two masters. For either he will have hatred for the one, and love the other, or he will persevere with the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

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