Romans 12

Living for God

1 Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him.2 Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 God's grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don't think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the amount of faith God has given you.
4 Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose.5 So also we are many persons. But in Christ we are one body. And each part of the body belongs to all the other parts.
6 We all have gifts. They differ in keeping with the grace that God has given each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it in keeping with the faith you have.7 Is it your gift to serve? Then serve. Is it teaching? Then teach.8 Is it telling others how they should live? Then tell them. Is it giving to those who are in need? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.

Love

9 Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good.10 Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.11 Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.
12 When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.13 Share with God's people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.
14 Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not call down curses on them.15 Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad.16 Agree with each other. Don't be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren't considered important. Don't think that you are better than others.
17 Don't pay back evil with evil. Be careful to do what everyone thinks is right.18 If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.
19 My friends, don't try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, "I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back," (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord.

20 Do just the opposite. Scripture says,
"If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads." (Proverbs 25:21,22)
21 Don't let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good.

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;11 in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.