- 1
- 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 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.
- 3
- For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
- 4
- For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function,
- 5
- so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
- 6
- Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
- 7
- or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
- 8
- or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
- 9
- Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
- 10
- In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;
- 11
- not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
- 12
- rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- 13
- contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
- 14
- Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.
- 15
- Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
- 16
- 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
- Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- 18
- If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
- 19
- 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." {Deuteronomy 32:35}
- 20
- 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." {Proverbs 25:21-22}
- 21
- Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
|