1I beg you therefore, my brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God by a logical service. 2And do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your minds, and you shall distinguish what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

3I say to all of you by the grace that is given to me, that you should not have self-esteem beyond what is necessary to have self-esteem, but you should have self-esteem and modesty as God distributes faith to every person by a measure. 4For just as we have many members in one body, and all those members do not have one function, 5So also, we who are many, are one body in The Messiah, and each one of us is a member of the other. 6But we have a variety of gifts, according to the grace that is given us; one has prophecy according to the measure of his faith, 7And one has ministry in his service, and one has that of a teacher in his instruction. 8One has that of a comforter, which is in his comforting, and a giver in generosity, and a top leader with diligence, and that of caregiver with cheerfulness.

9And be not deceitful in your love, but hate evil and cleave to the good. 10Be affectionate to your brethren and love one another; be preferring and honoring one another. 11Be diligent and do not be lazy; be enthusiastic in spirit; be working for your Lord. 12Be rejoicing in your hope. Bear your afflictions bravely. Be persistent in prayer. 13Be partakers with the needs of the holy; befriend strangers.

14Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. 16And whatever you esteem about yourselves do also about your brethren. Do not esteem high opinions, but go out to those who are humble, and do not be wise in your opinions of yourselves. 17Repay no person evil for evil, but be concerned with doing good before all people. 18And if it is possible, according to what is within you, make peace with every person. 19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to rage, for it is written: “If you will not execute judgment for yourself, I shall execute your judgment, says God.” 20“And if your enemy hungers, feed him, and if he thirsts, give him a drink, and if you do these things to him you will heap coals of fire on his skull.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.