Romans 12
1 My fellow believers, since God has acted mercifully [toward you] in so many ways, I appeal to [all of] you that you present yourselves [SYN] [to him by making yourselves like] holy sacrifices [MET]. [Make yourselves sacrifices] that he is pleased with, sacrifices that are living/alive, [not ones that are dead/killed. Since God has done so much for you/us], this is the [only] appropriate way to serve him.
I plead with you therefore, brethren, by the compassionsof God, to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him. This with you will be an act of reasonable worship.
2 Do not let anything non-Christian determine how you should act. Instead, let God change your [way of life] by making your way of thinking new, in order that you may know what he wants you to do. That is, you will know what is good, and you will know what pleases [God], and you will know how to be all that he wants you to be. (aiōn g165)
And do not follow the customs of the present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may learn by experience what God's will is--that will which is good and beautiful and perfect. (aiōn g165)
3 Because God has kindly appointed me [to be his apostle], which I did not deserve, I say this to every one of you: Do not think about yourselves more highly than what is right for you to think! Instead, think [about yourselves] in a sensible way that [corresponds to the abilities] that God has given you [because] you trust [in Christ].
For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgement in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one.
4 Although a person has one body, it consists of many parts. All of the parts are needed for [the body], but they do not all function the same way.
For just as there are in the one human body many parts, and these parts have not all the same function;
5 Similarly we, [although we are] many, are [united into] one group because of our relationship with Christ, and we belong to one another. [So no one should act as though he] is needed by God more [than others are!]
so collectively we form one body in Christ, while individually we are linked to one another as its members.
6 [Instead], since each one of us can do various things that differ according to the abilities that [God has] given to us, [we should do them diligently and cheerfully]! Those whom [God has enabled] to speak messages from him [should speak] what corresponds to what they believe [God told them].
But since we have special gifts which differ in accordance with the diversified work graciously entrusted to us, if it is prophecy, let the prophet speak in exact proportion to his faith;
7 [Those whom God has enabled] to serve [others] should do that. [Those whom God has enabled] to teach [his truth] should do that.
if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.
8 Those [whom God has enabled to] encourage/exhort [his people] should do that. Those who share [their goods/money with others] should do it sincerely/generously. Those who lead [the congregation] should do it wholeheartedly. Those who help the needy should do it cheerfully.
The teacher must do the same in his teaching; and he who exhorts others, in his exhortation. He who gives should be liberal; he who is in authority should be energetic and alert; and he who succours the afflicted should do it cheerfully.
9 Love others sincerely! Hate what is evil! Continue to eagerly do what [God considers to be] good!
Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right.
10 Love one another as members of the same family do; and, you should be (the first ones/eager) to honor each other!
As for brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in matters of worldly honour, yield to one another.
11 Do not be lazy. [Instead], be eager [to serve the Lord] God!
Do not be indolent when zeal is required. Be thoroughly warm-hearted, the Lord's own servants,
12 Rejoice because you are confidently awaiting [what God will do for you]! When you suffer, be patient! Keep praying and never give up!
full of joyful hope, patient under persecution, earnest and persistent in prayer.
13 If any of God’s people lacks anything, share with them [what you have]! Readily take care of [travelers who need a place to stay]!
Relieve the necessities of God's people; always practise hospitality.
14 [Ask God to] be kind to those who (persecute you/cause you to suffer) [because you believe in Jesus! Ask him to] be kind to them; do not [ask him to] cause bad things to happen to them.
Invoke blessings on your persecutors--blessings, not curses.
15 If someone is joyful, you should rejoice also! If someone is sad, you should also be sad!
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
16 Desire for others what you desire for yourselves (OR, Live harmoniously with each other)! Do not do things because you want to be [famous]! Instead, be content to do [tasks that others consider that only] unimportant people do (OR, [to associate with unimportant] people). Do not consider yourselves wise.
Have full sympathy with one another. Do not give your mind to high things, but let humble ways content you. Do not be wise in your own conceits.
17 Do not do something evil to anyone [who has done] something evil to you. Act in a way that all people will recognize as good!
Pay back to no man evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and seemly in every one's esteem.
18 Live peacefully with other people whenever it is possible, to the extent that you [can influence the situation].
If you can, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all the world.
19 [My fellow believers] whom I love, do not do something evil in return when people do something evil to you! Instead, allow [God] to punish them [MTY], because it is {someone has} written [in the Scriptures that] the Lord [said], “‘It is my responsibility to take revenge; I am the one who will punish [people who do something something evil to you] [DOU],’ says the Lord.”
Do not be revengeful, my dear friends, but give way before anger; for it is written, "'Revenge belongs to Me: I will pay back,' says the Lord."
20 Instead of [doing something evil to those who have done something evil to you], [do as the Scriptures teach]: “If your [(sg)] enemies are hungry, feed them! If they are thirsty, give them something to drink! By doing that, you [(sg)] will cause them to feel ashamed [and perhaps they will change their attitude toward you] [IDM].”
On the contrary, therefore, if your enemy is hungry, give him food; if he is thirsty, quench his thirst. For by doing this you will be heaping burning coals upon his head.
21 Do not let evil [things that others have done to you] overcome you [(sg) by making you do evil things to them!] [PRS] Instead, overcome the evil [things that they have done] by [doing] good [deeds to them]!
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome the evil with goodness.
