Dedicate Your Lives to God

1I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.a 2Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper,b pleasing, and perfect.

3For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you. 4For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function. 5In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in the Messiahc and individual parts connected to each other. 6We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your giftd in proportion to your faith. 7If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others.e If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others.f 8If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others.g If it is sharing, share generously.h If it is leading, lead enthusiastically.i If it is helping, help cheerfully.j

9Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other. 11Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord.k 12Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer. 13Supply the needs of the saints. Extend hospitality to strangers.

14Bless those who persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse them. 15Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those who are crying. 16Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.

17Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, butl focus your thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people. 19Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’sm wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord.”n 20But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him. For if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head.”o 21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.