Romans 12:1–13:14

1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your intelligent service. 2  And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3  For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith. 4  For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; 5  thus we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other. 6  But having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to us, whether it be prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7  or service, let us occupy ourselves in service; or he that teaches, in teaching; 8  or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness. 9  Let love be unfeigned; abhorring evil; cleaving to good: 10  as to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other: 11  as to diligent zealousness, not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord. 12  As regards hope, rejoicing: as regards tribulation, enduring: as regards prayer, persevering: 13  distributing to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14  Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15  Rejoice with those that rejoice, weep with those that weep. 16  Have the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes: 17  recompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before all men: 18  if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men; 19  not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20  If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21  Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Chapter 13

1  Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God. 2  So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who thus resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves. 3  For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil one. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise what is good, and thou shalt have praise from it; 4  for it is God’s minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God’s minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil. 5  Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience. 6  For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God’s officers, attending continually on this very thing.

7  Render to all their dues: to whom tribute is due, tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour. 8  Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. 9  For, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not lust; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10  Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore is the whole law.

11  This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that we should be aroused out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12  The night is far spent, and the day is near; let us cast away therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13  As in the day, let us walk becomingly; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and lasciviousness, not in strife and emulation. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to fulfil its lusts.