Romans 12
1 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.
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
2 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)
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (aiōn g165)
3 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.
For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
4 Just as there are many parts to the body, but they don't all do the same thing,
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,
5 so we are one body in Christ, even though we are many—and we all belong to one another.
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,
6 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.
having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
7 If it's the ministry of service then you should serve; if teaching then you should teach;
or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
8 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.
or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold on tightly to what is good.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
10 Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves.
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another,
11 Don't be unwilling to work hard; serve the Lord with an enthusiastic spirit.
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,
12 Remain cheerful in the hope you have, put up with the troubles that come, keep on praying.
rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,
13 Share in providing for the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers with hospitality.
contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and don't curse them.
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
15 Be happy with those who are happy; cry with those who are crying.
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
16 Think about one another. Don't consider yourself more important than others; live humbly. Don't be conceited.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
17 Don't pay back anyone evil for evil. Make sure you show everybody that what you're doing is good,
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
18 and as far as it's up to you, live at peace with everyone.
If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
19 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.”
Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 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.
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Don't be defeated by evil—conquer evil with good.
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
