To the Assembly of the Common Peasantry which has come together in revolt and insurrection in the high German nation and many other places. Concerning whether their rebellion takes place justly or unjustly, and what they owe or do not owe the authorities etc., based on holy divine Scripture. Issued and discussed with good intention by your brothers in upper Germany, etc.

Now is the hour and time of the wheel of fortune. God knows who will remain on top.

“What increases the Swiss? The greed of the lords.”

Grace be with you and the eternal peace of God, from the father and our lord, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to save us from this present evil age according to the will of God, our lord. May he be praised for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear brothers in Christ, you know that the Lord says, “Render unto Caesar diat which is Caesar's, ” etc. Cling to this saying in Matthew chapter 23 [rather, Mt. 22:21], just as Christ himself also gave the tax money to the emperor, Matthew 17 [:24–27]. Look now, my dear brothers, the lord of heaven and earth, the true God, subjected himself to worldly authority, and voluntarily made himself liable to taxation, to give us an example to imitate. “The servant should never be above his lord.” Because of this commandment, we cannot excuse ourselves from die terrible punishment, as St. Paul said to die Romans in chapter 13[:2–6], “He who resists the authorities opposes die order of God … and he will incur judgment … For die authorities do not bear die sword in vain.