CHAPTER 12

1 I beseech you then, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, as your rational service.

2 And conform not yourselves to this world, but be ye transformed by the renovation of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 I indeed say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one of you, that he be not above measure wise, beyond what he ought to be wise; but that he be wise unto sobriety, as God has to each distributed the measure of faith.

4 For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and severally members of one another.

6 Now having gifts differing according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us use it according to the analogy of faith;

7 Or ministry, in ministering; or the teacher, in teaching;

8 Or the exhorter, in exhortation; or the giver, in simplicity; or the president, with care; or he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be undissembled: turn away from evil, cleave to what is good.

10 Be ready with brotherly love to love one another, anticipating each other with honor.

11 In business be not slothful, in spirit fervent, serving the time;

12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, persevering in prayer,

13 Distributing to the necessities of the saints, following hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and pray for no evil.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,

16 Having the same feeling towards one another, not thinking arrogantly of yourselves, but accommodating yourselves to humble things: be not wise in your own esteem.

17 To no man render evil for evil, providing honest things before all men.

18 If it be possible, as far as you can, cultivate peace with all men.

19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved; but give place to wrath; for it is written, "Mine is vengeance, and I will repay, saith the Lord."

20 If then thine enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for by so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.