Romans 12
1 And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind.
So I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, because of God's compassion for you, to dedicate your bodies as a living offering that is holy and pleasing to God. This is the logical way to worship.
2 And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect. (aiōn g165)
Don't follow the ways of this world; instead be transformed by the spiritual renewal of your mind so you can demonstrate what God's will really is—good, pleasing, and perfect. (aiōn g165)
3 For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to all who are among you: Taste no more than it is necessary to taste, but taste unto sobriety and just as God has distributed a share of the faith to each one.
Let me explain to all of you, through the grace given to me, that no one should think of themselves better than they ought to. You should think about yourselves realistically, according to the degree of trust God has shared with you.
4 For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role,
Just as there are many parts to the body, but they don't all do the same thing,
5 so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other.
so we are one body in Christ, even though we are many—and we all belong to one another.
6 And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith;
We each have different gifts that vary according to the grace given to us. So if it's speaking for God, then you should do so depending on how much you trust in God.
7 or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine;
If it's the ministry of service then you should serve; if teaching then you should teach;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.
if encouragement then you should encourage; if giving then you should give generously; if leadership then you should lead with commitment; if being merciful then you should do so gladly.
9 Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good,
Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold on tightly to what is good.
10 loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor:
Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves.
11 in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord;
Don't be unwilling to work hard; serve the Lord with an enthusiastic spirit.
12 in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing;
Remain cheerful in the hope you have, put up with the troubles that come, keep on praying.
13 in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive.
Share in providing for the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers with hospitality.
14 Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse.
Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and don't curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping.
Be happy with those who are happy; cry with those who are crying.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself.
Think about one another. Don't consider yourself more important than others; live humbly. Don't be conceited.
17 Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.
Don't pay back anyone evil for evil. Make sure you show everybody that what you're doing is good,
18 If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men.
and as far as it's up to you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.”
My dear friends, don't seek revenge, but leave it to God to execute judgment—as Scripture points out, “‘It's for me to dispense justice, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
20 So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head.
If those who hate you are hungry, give them food; if they're thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing so you pile fiery coals on their heads.
21 Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness.
Don't be defeated by evil—conquer evil with good.
