Romans 12

1  I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.2  Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].3  For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.4  For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,5  So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].6  Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;7  [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;8  He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.9  [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.10  Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.11  Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.12  Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.13  Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.14  Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.15  Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].16  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. 18  If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. 20  But 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 let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

ROMANOS 12

IV.— LA CONDUCTA CRISTIANA (12,1—15,13)

La nueva vida en Cristo

1 Por el amor entrañable de Dios les pido, hermanos: preséntense a ustedes mismos como ofrenda viva, santa y agradable a Dios. Ese ha de ser su auténtico cultot.t

2 No se amolden a los criterios de este mundot; al contrario, déjense transformar y renueven su interior de tal manera que sepan apreciar lo que Dios quiere, es decir, lo bueno, lo que le es grato, lo perfecto.t
3 En virtud del don que me ha sido otorgado me dirijo a todos y a cada uno de ustedes para que a nadie se le suban los humos a la cabeza, sino que cada uno se estime en lo justot, conforme al grado de fe que Dios le ha concedido.t 4 Pues así como nuestro cuerpo, que es uno, consta de muchos miembros, y cada uno desempeña su cometido, 5 de la misma manera nosotros, siendo muchos, formamos un solo cuerpo en Cristo, y en ese cuerpo cada uno es un miembro al servicio de los demás.t 6 Y puesto que tenemos dones diferentes según la gracia que Dios nos ha otorgado, a quien haya concedido hablar en su nombre, hágalo sin apartarse de la fe;t 7 el que sirve, que lo haga con diligencia; el que enseña, con dedicación; 8 el que exhorta, aplicándose a exhortar; el encargado de repartir a los necesitados, hágalo con generosidad; el que presidet, con solicitud; y el que practica la misericordia, con alegría. 9 No hagan del amor que ustedes tienen una comedia. Aborrezcan el mal y abracen el bien. 10 Ámense de corazón unos a otros como hermanos y que cada uno aprecie a los otros más que a sí mismo. 11 Si se trata de esforzarse, no sean perezosos; manténganse espiritualmente fervientes y prontos para el servicio del Señort. 12 Vivan alegres por la esperanza, animosos en la tribulación y constantes en la oración.t 13 Solidarícense con las necesidades de los creyentes; practiquen la hospitalidad; 14 bendigan a los que los persiguen y no maldigan jamás.t 15 Alégrense con los que están alegres y lloren con los que lloran.t 16 Vivan en plena armonía unos con otros. No ambicionen grandezas, antes bien pónganse al nivel de los humildes. Y no presuman de inteligentes.t 17 A nadie devuelvan mal por mal. Esfuércense en hacer el bien ante cualquiera.t 18 En cuanto de ustedes dependa, hagan lo posible por vivir en paz con todo el mundo.

19 Y no se tomen la justicia por propia mano, queridos míos; dejen que sea Dios quien castiguet, según dice la Escritura:
A mí me corresponde castigar;
yo daré a cada cual su merecido
—dice el Señor—.t

20 A ti, en cambio, te dice:
Si tu enemigo tiene hambre, dale de comer;
si tiene sed, dale de beber.
Así harás que su cara le arda de vergüenza t.t
21 No permitas que te venza el mal, antes bien, vence al mal a fuerza de bien.