A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, * brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you c to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, d holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. e 2 Do not be conformed f to this age, g but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, h so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will i of God.

Many Gifts but One Body

3 For by the grace j given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. k Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith l to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, m and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many n are one body in Christ o and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: p

If prophecy, q

use it according to the standard of one’s r faith;

7 if service, s in service;

if teaching, t in teaching;

8 if exhorting, u in exhortation;

giving, with generosity; v

leading, w with diligence;

showing mercy, with cheerfulness. x

Christian Ethics

9 Love must be without hypocrisy. y Detest evil; z cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. a Outdo one another in showing honor. b 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; c serve the Lord. d 12 Rejoice in hope; e be patient in affliction; f be persistent in prayer. g 13 Share with the * saints in their needs; h pursue hospitality. i 14 Bless those who persecute you; j bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; k weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another. l Do not be proud; m instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. n 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. o Try to do what is honorable p in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. q 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His r wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, s t says the Lord. 20 But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him. u

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. v w

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.