Romans 12

1 And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind.2 And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.3 For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to all who are among you: Taste no more than it is necessary to taste, but taste unto sobriety and just as God has distributed a share of the faith to each one.4 For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role,5 so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other.6 And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith;7 or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine;8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.9 Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good,10 loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor:11 in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord;12 in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing;13 in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive.14 Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse.15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping.16 Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself.17 Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.18 If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men.19 Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.”20 So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head.21 Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness.

Romans 12

Consecration of the Believer’s Life

1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters,t by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to Godts – which is your reasonable service.

2 Do not be conformedt to this present world,t but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approves what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Conduct in Humility

3 For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of yout a measure of faith.t4 For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function,5 so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another.6 And we have different giftst according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach;

8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.

Conduct in Love

9 Love must bet without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.t Do not be conceited.t17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.t18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.t19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath,t for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,”s says the Lord.20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.s

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