Kehilah in Rome 12

1 I appeal to you, therefore, Achim b'Moshiach, through the rachamei Hashem (mercies of G-d), to present your geviyah (BERESHIS 47:18), all of your being as a korban chai (living sacrifice), kadosh (holy) and acceptable to Hashem (BERESHIS 8:21), which is your spiritual avodas kodesh service.2 Stop allowing yourself to be conformed to the Olam Hazeh, but be transformed by your hitkhadshut (regeneration, renewal) of your mind, so that you may ascertain what is the ratzon Hashem (the will of G-d), what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of G-d.3 For I say to all who are among you through the chesed (unmerited favor, grace) given to me, that you should avoid a false sense of superiority in your thinking; rather exercise shlitah atzmi (self-control), thinking with seichel, as G-d has measured to each a measure of emunah.4 For just as in one body we have many members (natural capacities), and all the members do not have the same function,5 So we all are one body in Moshiach, and are individually members one of another6 Having matanot (gifts) which differ in accordance with the chesed (unmerited favor, grace) given to us. If we speak for G-d as nevi'im (prophets), it should be in proportion to the emunah given to us.7 If we offer particular acts of avodas kodesh service, it should be used in serving. One who functions as a rabbinic moreh should be active in teaching.8 One who imparts chizzuk (strengthening, encouragement) should be active in that avodas kodesh ministry. One who makes tzedakah (contributions) should do so with nedivut (generosity). The one in manhigut (leadership), with diligence. The one in bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) and gemilut chasadim (benevolence), with simcha.9 Let ahavah (agape) be without tzevi'ut (hypocrisy). Hate what is haRah, be devoted to what is tov.10 Show mishpochah (family) affection to one another in ahavah shel achvah (brotherly love). Be first in esteeming one another, in showing mutual respect.11 Be zealous without negligence; with bren (fervor, hitlahavut) be burning with the Ruach Hakodesh. With avodas kodesh serve Hashem.12 Have simcha in tikvah. Have zitzfleisch in tzoros. Keep davening tefillos.13 With a spirit of koinonia, keep the pushke full for the needs of the Kadoshim. Aspire to hachnosas orchim.14 Say a bracha on those who bring redifah (persecution) on you, let it be a bracha and not a kelalah (curse).15 Join in simcha with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Think with a (spiritual) consensus in achdus harmony among yourselves. Do not cherish the thoughts of the ba'al gaavah (haughty person), but associate with the anavim ("humble," YESHAYAH 29:19), with the lowly am ha'aretz; do not be chachamim (wise ones) in your own estimation [1:22].17 Repay no one ra'a (evil) for ra'a (evil). Take into consideration what is haTov in the sight of everyone and do that. [MISHLE 3:4 TARGUM HASHIVIM]18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with everyone.19 Do not take your own revenge, beloved, but give opportunity for G-d's Charon Af (burning wrath), for it is written, LI NAKAM V'SHILEM ("Vengeance is mine and recompense, repayment-- I am He who will repay, says Hashem" DEVARIM 32:35).20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head" [MISHLE 25:21-22].21 Do not be overcome by what is ra'a, but overcome haRah with haTov.

ROMANS 12

Christ Brings New Life

1 Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God.

2 Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
3 I realize God has treated me with undeserved grace, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. 4 t A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use.

5 That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.
6  t God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. 7 If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach.

8 If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

Rules for Christian Living

13 Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.
14  t Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. 15 t When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. 16 t Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you know more than others. Make friends with ordinary people.t 17 Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others,

18 and do your best to live at peace with everyone.

19  t Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says,
“I am the one to take revenge
and pay them back.”

20  t The Scriptures also say,
“If your enemies are hungry,
give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
to drink.
This will be the same
as piling burning coals
on their heads.”
21 Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.