RLDS Chapter Context

Intro: Subjection to rulers -- Love is the fulfilling of the law -- Gluttony and drunkenness reproved.

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power in the church but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves punishment.

3 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;

4 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 rod in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

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

6 For, for this cause pay ye your consecrations also unto them; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 But first, render to all their dues, according to custom, tribute to whom tribute, custom to whom custom, that your consecrations may be done in fear of him to whom fear belongs, and in honor of him to whom honor belongs.

8 Therefore owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For 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 neighbor as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to gratify the lusts thereof.