Romans, 12

1. I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.

1. I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2. Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and mature.

2. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3. And through the grace that I have been given, I say this to every one of you: never pride yourself on being better than you really are, but think of yourself dispassionately, recognising that God has given to each one his measure of faith.

3. For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.

4. Just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not all have the same function:

4. For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function,

5. in the same way, all of us, though there are so many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another.

5. so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6. Then since the gifts that we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us: if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us;

6. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

7. if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching;

7. if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching;

8. if it is encouraging, to encouraging. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.

8. he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

9. Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.

9. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

10. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself.

10. love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

11. In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.

11. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.

12. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly;

12. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

13. share with any of God's holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.

13. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

14. Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15. Rejoice with others when they rejoice, and be sad with those in sorrow.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16. Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.

16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.

17. Never pay back evil with evil, but bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect.

17. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

18. As much as possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.

18. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.

19. Never try to get revenge: leave that, my dear friends, to the Retribution. As scripture says: Vengeance is mine -- I will pay them back, the Lord promises.

19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

20. And more: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. By this, you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head.

20. No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."

21. Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.