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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 13:2–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 2

  1. 1 Peter 2:13Rank 1 from verse 2
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    13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

  2. Titus 3:1Rank 2 from verse 2
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    1PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

  3. James 3:1Rank 3 from verse 2
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    1MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

  4. Romans 13:5Rank 4 from verse 2
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    5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

  5. Luke 20:47Rank 5 from verse 2
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    47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  6. Mark 12:40Rank 6 from verse 2
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    40Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

  7. Matthew 23:13Rank 7 from verse 2
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    13¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

  8. Jeremiah 23:8–17Rank 8 from verse 2
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    8But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

    9¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.

    10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

    11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.

    12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.

    13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

    14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

    15Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

    16Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

    17They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

  9. Jeremiah 44:14–17Rank 9 from verse 2
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    14So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.

    15¶ Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,

    16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.

    17But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

  10. Isaiah 58:2Rank 10 from verse 2
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    2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

From verse 3

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:4–6Rank 1 from verse 3
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    4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

    5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

    6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

  2. 1 Peter 2:13–14Rank 2 from verse 3
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    13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

    14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

  3. Proverbs 14:35Rank 3 from verse 3
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    35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

  4. Proverbs 20:2Rank 4 from verse 3
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    2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

  5. Deuteronomy 25:1Rank 5 from verse 3
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    1IF there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

  6. 1 Peter 3:13–14Rank 6 from verse 3
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    13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

    14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

  7. Jeremiah 22:15–18Rank 7 from verse 3
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    15Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

    16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the Lord.

    17But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

    18Therefore thus saith 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!

  8. Romans 13:4Rank 8 from verse 3
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    4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

From verse 4

  1. Romans 12:19Rank 1 from verse 4
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    19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  2. 2 Chronicles 19:6Rank 2 from verse 4
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    6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.

  3. Proverbs 24:23–24Rank 3 from verse 4
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    23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

    24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

  4. Proverbs 16:14Rank 4 from verse 4
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    14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

  5. Proverbs 20:2Rank 5 from verse 4
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    2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

  6. 1 Thessalonians 4:6Rank 6 from verse 4
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    6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

  7. Isaiah 1:17Rank 7 from verse 4
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    17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

  8. Psalms 82:2–4Rank 8 from verse 4
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    2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

    3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

    4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

  9. Romans 13:6Rank 9 from verse 4
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    6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

  10. Ezekiel 22:27Rank 10 from verse 4
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    27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

  11. Ezekiel 25:14Rank 11 from verse 4
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    14And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God.

  12. Jeremiah 5:28Rank 12 from verse 4
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    28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

  13. Micah 3:1–4Rank 13 from verse 4
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    1AND I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?

    2Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;

    3Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

    4Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

  14. Micah 3:9Rank 14 from verse 4
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    9Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.

  15. Proverbs 31:8–9Rank 15 from verse 4
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    8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

    9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

  16. 1 Kings 10:9Rank 16 from verse 4
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    9Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

  17. Ecclesiastes 8:2–5Rank 17 from verse 4
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    2I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

    3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

    4Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

    5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

  18. Joshua 20:9Rank 18 from verse 4
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    9These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.

  19. Numbers 35:19–27Rank 19 from verse 4
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    19The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

    20But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

    21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

    22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

    23Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

    24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

    25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

    26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

    27And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

  20. Proverbs 20:26Rank 20 from verse 4
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    26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

  21. Proverbs 20:8Rank 21 from verse 4
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    8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

  22. Joshua 20:5Rank 22 from verse 4
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    5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 13:2

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ordinance

↗

Sense 1: A rule, command, decree, statute, or authoritative appointment. Sense 2: A prescribed observance, rite, practice, or arrangement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

resist

↗

To oppose, withstand, strive against, hinder, refuse, or set oneself against.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

damnation

↗

Sense 1: Condemnation; an adverse judgment or sentence. Sense 2: The punishment or destruction resulting from such judgment.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 13:3

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wilt

↗

Sense 1: Second-person singular present form of will: choosest, intendest, or art disposed to. Sense 2: As an auxiliary, marks future action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

praise

↗

1. Commendation, thanksgiving, honour, or good report. 2. To commend, thank, honour, or declare excellence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 13:4

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

minister

↗

Sense 1: As a noun, one who serves, attends, or executes an appointed charge or office. Sense 2: As a verb, to serve, attend, or perform service. Sense 3: To give, afford, supply, convey, or cause what is named to be supplied.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vain

↗

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

revenger

↗

One who executes vengeance or punishment; an appointed avenger or a minister executing judgment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

execute

↗

To carry out, perform, or put into effect, especially a judgment or command.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

wrath

↗

Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Romans 13:1–10

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

13:1LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

13:2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Selected passage

13:3For 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:

Selected passage

13:4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Selected passage

13:5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

13:6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

13:7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

13:8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

13:9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

13:10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

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