Romans 12

1 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.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living, holy sacrifice, unto God acceptable, —your rational divine service;

2 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)

And be not configuring yourselves unto this age, but be transforming yourselves by the renewing of your mind, to the end ye may be proving what is the thing willed by God—the good and acceptable and perfect. (aiōn g165)

3 In fulfillment 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.

For I say, through the favour which hath been given me, unto every one who is among you, —not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but so to think as to think soberly—as, unto each one, God hath dealt a measure of faith.

4 For, just as in the human body there is a union of many parts, and each part has its own function,

For, just as in one body we have many members, yet, all the members, have not the same office,

5 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.

So, we, the many, are one body in Christ, yet, severally, members one of another.

6 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;

Now, having gifts of favour, according to the favour given unto us, differing—whether prophesying, [let us use it] according to the proportion of our faith,

7 if it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to their teaching,

Or ministering, [use it] in our ministering, or he that teacheth, [let him use his gift] in his teaching,

8 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.

Or he that exhorteth, in his exhorting, he that imparteth, [let it be] with liberality, he that taketh a lead, with diligence, he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let your love be sincere. Hate the wrong; cling to the right.

Your love, [be] without hypocrisy, —loathing that which is wicked, cleaving to that which is good;

10 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;

In your brotherly love, unto one another, being tenderly affectioned, in honour, unto one another, giving preference;

11 never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master;

In business, not slothful, in spirit, fervent, to the Lord, doing service,

12 rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer;

In hope, rejoicing, in tribulation, enduring, in prayer, persevering,

13 relieving the wants of Christ’s people; devoted to hospitality.

With the needs of the saints, having fellowship, —hospitality, pursuing.

14 Bless your persecutors – bless and never curse.

Bless them that persecute, bless, and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping.

Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep:

16 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.

The same thing, one to another regarding, —not the lofty things regarding, but, by the lowly, being led along. Be not getting presumptuous in your own opinion:

17 Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what everyone will recognize as honorable.

Unto no one, evil for evil rendering: providing honourable things before all men:

18 If it is possible, as far as rests with you, live peaceably with everyone.

If possible—so far as dependeth on you, with all men being at peace:

19 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.’

Not avenging, yourselves, beloved, but give place unto their anger; for it is written—Mine, is avenging, I, will recompense; —saith the Lord;

20 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.’

But—if thine enemy hunger, be feeding him, if he thirst, be giving him drink; for, this doing, coals of fire, shalt thou heap upon his head.

21 Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.