[和合本] 因为他是 神的用人，是与你有益的。你若作恶，却当惧怕，因为他不是空空地佩剑。他是 神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那作恶的。
[新标点] 因为他是 神的用人，是与你有益的。你若作恶，却当惧怕，因为他不是空空地佩剑；他是 神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那作恶的。
[和合修] 因为他是 神的用人，是与你有益的。你若作恶，就该惧怕，因为他不是徒然佩剑；他是 神的用人，为 神的愤怒，报应作恶的。
[新译本] 因为他是上帝的仆役，是对你有益的。但如果你作恶，就应当惧怕；因为他佩剑，不是没有作用的。他是上帝的仆役，是向作恶的人施行刑罚的。
[当代修] 要知道掌权者是上帝差遣的，对行得正的人有益处。然而，你若作恶，就该惧怕，因为他必将你绳之以法{注*}。他是上帝的仆人，代表上帝秉公行义，惩奸罚恶。*{注：“他必将你绳之以法”希腊文是“他配剑，不只是作作样子的”。}
[现代修] 因为他是上帝所使用的人，他的工作是对你有益处的。如果你作恶，你就得怕他，因为他的惩罚并非儿戏。他是上帝所使用的人，要执行上帝对那些作恶的人的惩罚。
[吕振中] 因为它是为你的好处而做上帝仆役的。但你若行恶，就该惧怕；因为他并不是徒然佩带刀剑权力；它是上帝的仆役，是刑罚者，使上帝之义怒临到作恶之人的。
[思高本] 因为他是天主的仆役，是为相帮你行善；你若作恶，你就该害怕，因为他不是无故带剑；他既是天主的仆役，就负责惩罚作恶的人；
[文理本] 盖彼为上帝之役、于尔有益、尔若行恶则畏之、以其非徒佩剑、乃为上帝之役、以怒加诸行恶者、
[GNT] because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil.
[BBE] For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise;
[KJV] For he is the 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 the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[NKJV] For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to [execute] wrath on him who practices evil.
[KJ21] for he is the 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 the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[NASB] for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
[NRSV] for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.
[WEB] for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
[ESV] for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
[NIV] For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
[NIrV] If you do what is right, you won't need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don't want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right. The one in authority will praise you.
[HCSB] For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
[CSB] For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
[AMP] For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.
[NLT] The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
[YLT] for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.