Romans 12
1 I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service.
I entreat you, then, friends, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, for this is your rational worship.
2 And be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God. (aiōn g165)
Do not conform to the fashion of this world; but be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds, so that you may discern what God’s will is – all that is good, acceptable, and perfect. (aiōn g165)
3 For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one the measure of faith.
In fulfilment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I tell every one of you not to think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, but to think until they learn to think soberly – in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each.
4 For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office:
For, just as in the human body there is a union of many parts, and each part has its own function,
5 So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
so we, by our union in Christ, many though we are, form but one body, and individually we are related one to another as its parts.
6 And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;
Since our gifts differ in accordance with the particular charge entrusted to us, if our gift is to preach, let our preaching correspond to our faith;
7 Or ministry, in ministering; or he that teacheth, in doctrine;
if it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to their teaching,
8 He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity; he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
the counselor to their counsel. Let the person who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let the person who is in authority exercise due diligence; let the person who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good.
Let your love be sincere. Hate the wrong; cling to the right.
10 Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood, with honour preventing one another.
In the love of the community of the Lord’s followers, be affectionate to one another; in showing respect, set an example of deference to one another;
11 In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the Lord.
never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master;
12 Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer.
rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer;
13 Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing hospitality.
relieving the wants of Christ’s people; devoted to hospitality.
14 Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Bless your persecutors – bless and never curse.
15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.
Rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping.
16 Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Let the same spirit of sympathy animate you all, not a spirit of pride; enjoy the company of ordinary people. Do not think too highly of yourselves.
17 To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.
Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what everyone will recognise as honourable.
18 If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men.
If it is possible, as far as rests with you, live peaceably with everyone.
19 Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.
Never avenge yourselves, dear friends, but make way for the wrath of God; for scripture declares – “‘It is for me to avenge, I will requite,’ says the Lord.”
20 But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
Rather – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink. By doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.
Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
