Civil obedience

We also make every effort, more readily than anyone, to pay taxes and assessments everywhere to those appointed by you, as we were taught by him. At that time some people came to him and asked whether taxes ought to be paid to Caesar. He answered, “Tell me, whose image does the coin bear?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he replied to them, “Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God.” Therefore we worship God alone, but in other matters we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of human beings and praying that together with royal power you may also be found to possess sound judgment. But if you disregard us even though we pray and lay everything openly before you, we will suffer no harm. We believe—indeed, we are convinced—that each person will pay the penalty in eternal fire according to the worth of his deeds and will be required to give an account in proportion to the abilities he received from God, just as Christ declared: “To the one to whom God has given more, more will also be required.”