Romans 12
1 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;
I entreat you, then, Brothers, 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 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)
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 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.
In fulfilment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I bid every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think till he learns to think soberly — in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each.
4 For, just as in one body we have many members, yet, 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, the many, are one body in Christ, yet, severally, 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 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,
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 ministering, [use it] in our ministering, or he that teacheth, [let him use his gift] in his teaching,
if it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to his teaching,
8 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.
the speaker to his exhortation. Let the man who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let him who is in authority exercise due diligence; let him who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit.
9 Your love, [be] without hypocrisy, —loathing that which is wicked, cleaving to that which is good;
Let your love be sincere. Hate the wrong; cling to the right.
10 In your brotherly love, unto one another, being tenderly affectioned, in honour, unto one another, giving preference;
In brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in showing respect, set an example of deference to one another;
11 In business, not slothful, in spirit, fervent, to the Lord, doing service,
never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master;
12 In hope, rejoicing, in tribulation, enduring, in prayer, persevering,
rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer;
13 With the needs of the saints, having fellowship, —hospitality, pursuing.
relieving the wants of Christ’s People; devoted to hospitality.
14 Bless them that persecute, bless, and do not curse.
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 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:
Let the same spirit of sympathy animate you all, not a spirit of pride; be glad to associate with the lowly. Do not think too highly of yourselves.
17 Unto no one, evil for evil rendering: providing honourable things before all men:
Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what all men will recognise as honourable.
18 If possible—so far as dependeth on you, with all men being at peace:
If it is possible, as far as rests with you, live peaceably with every one.
19 Not avenging, yourselves, beloved, but give place unto their anger; for it is written—Mine, is avenging, I, will recompense; —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 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.
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 upon his head.’
21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
