4. It is God’s servant given for your benefit. But if you do what’s wrong, be afraid because it doesn’t have weapons to enforce the law for nothing. It is God’s servant put in place to carry out his punishment on those who do what is wrong.
5. That is why it is necessary to place yourself under the government’s authority, not only to avoid God’s punishment but also for the sake of your conscience.
6. You should also pay taxes for the same reason, because the authorities are God’s assistants, concerned with this very thing.
7. So pay everyone what you owe them. Pay the taxes you owe, pay the duties you are charged, give respect to those you should respect, and honor those you should honor.
8. Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law.
9. The commandments, Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself.
10. Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law.