Romans 13:3-5

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear from the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

 

do what is right and you will be commended

1 Peter 2:13-14  Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to the governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Acts 4:18-20  Then they (the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law) called them (Peter and John) in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 5:29  Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!"

They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer 

1 Thessalonians 4:6b  The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience 

Proverbs 24:21-22  Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

Psalm 73:19  How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

Deuteronomy 28:20  The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

Isaiah 47:10-11  "You (Babylon) have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away. A calamity will fall upon you that you cannot ward off with a ransom; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon you."

 

(parentheses are mine)

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