¹ Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.

² This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

³ And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

⁵ to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.

⁶ And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.

¹⁰ Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

¹¹ Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

¹² Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

⁹ for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

²⁵ Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

²⁶ Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

²⁷ Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

¹² having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

¹³ Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

¹⁴ or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.

¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

¹⁸ yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

¹⁹ But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak.

²⁰ For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

¹⁵ Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: Behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

¹⁶ And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering.

¹⁷ All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity.

¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

¹ Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the `powers' that be are ordained of God.

² Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

³ For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

⁴ for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

⁵ Wherefore `ye' must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

⁶ For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.

⁷ Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute `is due'; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

⁸ Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.

⁸ Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.

¹⁷ Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites?

¹⁹ Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.

²⁰ And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

²¹ They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

²² And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.

²⁴ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel?

²⁵ He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?

²⁶ And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.

²⁷ But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.