Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar^(A)

¹³ Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians^(B) to Jesus to catch him^(C) in his words. ¹⁴ They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax^[a] to Caesar or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” ¹⁶ They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

¹⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”^(D)

And they were amazed at him.

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.^(A)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(A) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(B) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(C) 19} Do not take revenge,^(D) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](E) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”^(A)

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,^(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,^{(B) 2} to slander no one,^(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](A) made his light shine in our hearts^(B) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(C)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(D) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(E) and not from us.

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(A) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(B) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(C) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(D) God our Savior,^{(E) 4} who wants^(F) all people^(G) to be saved^(H) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(I) 5} For there is one God^(J) and one mediator^(K) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^(L)