A Living Sacrifice

1Therefore, •brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge youa to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,b holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.c 2Do not be conformedd to this age,e but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,f so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect willg of God.

Many Gifts but One Body

3For by the graceh given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.i Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faithj to each one. 4Now as we have many parts in one body,k and all the parts do not have the same function, 5in the same way we who are manyl are one body in Christm and individually members of one another. 6According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:n

If prophecy,o

use it according to the standard of one’sp faith;

7if service,q in service;

if teaching,r in teaching;

8if exhorting,s in exhortation;

giving, with generosity;t

leading,u with diligence;

showing mercy, with cheerfulness.v

Christian Ethics

9Love must be without hypocrisy.w Detest evil;x cling to what is good. 10Show family affection to one another with brotherly love.y Outdo one another in showing honor.z 11Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit;aa serve the Lord.ab 12Rejoice in hope;ac be patient in affliction;ad be persistent in prayer.ae 13Share with the •saints in their needs;af pursue hospitality.ag 14Bless those who persecute you;ah bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice;ai weep with those who weep. 16Be in agreement with one another.aj Do not be proud;ak instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.al 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil.am Try to do what is honorablean in everyone’s eyes. 18If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.ao 19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for Hisap wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,aq, ar says the Lord. 20But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.as

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.at, au

21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.