Romans 12
1 I Beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that yee giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice, holy, acceptable vnto God, which is your reasonable seruing of God.
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 fashion not your selues like vnto this worlde, but bee yee changed by the renewing of your minde, that ye may prooue what that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God is. (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 through the grace that is giuen vnto me, to euery one that is among you, that no man presume to vnderstande aboue that which is meete to vnderstand, but that he vnderstande according to sobrietie, as God hath dealt to euery man 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 wee haue many members in one body, and all members haue not one 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 euery one, one anothers members.
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 Seeing then that we haue gifts that are diuers, according to the grace that is giuen vnto vs, whether we haue prophecie, let vs prophecie according to the portion 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 an office, let vs waite on the office: or he that teacheth, on teaching:
if it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to their teaching,
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that distributeth, let him doe it with simplicitie: he that ruleth, with diligence: he that sheweth mercie, with cheerefulnesse.
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 loue be without dissimulation. Abhorre that which is euill, and cleaue vnto that which is good.
Let your love be sincere. Hate the wrong; cling to the right.
10 Be affectioned to loue one another with brotherly loue. In giuing honour, goe one before 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 Not slouthfull to do seruice: seruent in spirit seruing the Lord,
never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master;
12 Reioycing in hope, pacient in tribulation, continuing in prayer,
rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer;
13 Distributing vnto the necessities of the Saintes: giuing your selues to hospitalitie.
relieving the wants of Christ’s people; devoted to hospitality.
14 Blesse them which persecute you: blesse, I say, and curse not.
Bless your persecutors – bless and never curse.
15 Reioyce with them that reioyce, and weepe with them that weepe.
Rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping.
16 Be of like affection one towardes another: be not hie minded: but make your selues equall to them of the lower sort: be not wise in your selues.
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 Recompence to no man euill for euill: procure things honest in the sight of all men.
Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what everyone will recognise as honourable.
18 If it bee possible, as much as in you is, haue peace with all men.
If it is possible, as far as rests with you, live peaceably with everyone.
19 Dearely beloued, auenge not your selues, but giue place vnto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance 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 Therefore, if thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giue him drinke: for in so doing, thou shalt heape coales of fire on 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 Bee not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with goodnesse.
Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
