Romans 12

Dedicate Your Lives to God

1 Brothers and sisters, because of God’s compassion toward us, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.

2 Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
3 Because of the kindnesst that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.4 Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing.5 In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.6 God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith.7 If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.

8 If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.
9 Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.10 Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.11 Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord.12 Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.

13 Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them.15 Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.
17 Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.18 As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.19 Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”

20 But,
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.If he is thirsty, give him a drink.If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.”21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with 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.