So let us know your opinion. Is it right to pay Caesar's taxes, or not?”
Jesus knew their motives were evil. He asked them, “Why are you trying to trap me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that is used to pay the tax.” They brought a denarius coin to him.
“Whose image and whose title is inscribed here?” he asked them.
“Caesar's,” they replied.
“You should give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God,” he told them.
Everyone should obey government authorities, because no one has the power to rule unless God gives permission. These authorities have been put there by God.
Whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has put in place, and those who do so shall find themselves judged accordingly.
For rulers don't frighten those who do right, but those who do wrong. If you don't want to live in fear of the authorities, then do what is right, and you'll have their approval.
Those in power are God's servants, put there for your own good. If you do wrong, you should be frightened—it's not without reason that authorities have the power to punish! They are God's servants, punishing offenders.
So it's important to do as you're told, not just because of the threat of punishment, but because of what your conscience tells you.
That's why you have to pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants taking care of such things.
Pay whatever you owe: taxes to the tax authorities, fees to the fee-collectors; give respect to those who should be respected, honor those who should be honored.
Those of you who are servants, do everything your human masters tell you, not with just an eye to please them, but honestly and sincerely, respecting the Lord.
Do whatever you do really well, as if you're doing it for God, and not for people,
because you know that the Lord will give you your reward—an inheritance! You're serving Christ the Lord!
Remind them to follow what rulers tell them to do, and to obey authorities. They should always be ready to do what is good.
Obey human authority for the Lord's sake, whether it is the king as the highest authority,
or governors that God appoints to punish those who do evil and to commend those who do good.
By doing what is good and right God wants you to silence the ignorant accusations of foolish people.
Yes, you are free people! So don't use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but live as God's servants.
Respect everyone. Show your love to the community of believers. Have reverence for God. Respect the king.
If you are a servant then submit to your master—not just those who are good and kind, but those who are harsh masters as well.
For this is what grace is: to endure life's pain and unfair suffering, keeping your focus on God.
However, there's no credit when you're punished for doing something wrong. But if you suffer for doing what is good and right, and you put up with it, then God's grace is with you.
For the time of judgment has come—and it begins with the house of God. If it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God's good news?