Chapter 12

¹I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by this mercy of God, to offer your bodies in a living sacrifice that will be holy and acceptable to God; that is your rational worship. ²You must not adopt the customs of this world but by your new attitude of mind be transformed so that you can find out what God’s will is—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

³By the favor that God has shown me, I would tell every one of you not to think too highly of himself, but to think reasonably, judging himself by the degree of faith God has allowed him. ⁴For just as there are many parts united in our human bodies, and the parts do not all have the same function, ⁵so, many as we are, we form one body through union with Christ, and we are individually parts of one another. ⁶We have gifts that differ with the favor that God has shown us, whether it is that of preaching, differing with the measure of our faith, ⁷or of practical service, differing in the field of service, or the teacher who exercises his gift in teaching, ⁸the speaker, in his exhortation, the giver of charity, with generosity, the office-holder, with devotion, the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹Your love must be genuine. You must hate what is wrong, and hold to what is right. ¹⁰Be affectionate in your love for the brotherhood, eager to show one another honor, ¹¹not wanting in devotion, but on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord. ¹²Be happy in your hope, steadfast in time of trouble, persistent in prayer. ¹³Supply the needs of God’s people, be unfailing in hospitality. ¹⁴Bless your persecutors; bless them; do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be too ambitious, but accept humble tasks. Do not be conceited. ¹⁷Do not pay anyone back with evil for evil. See that you are above reproach in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If possible, for your part, live peaceably with everybody. ¹⁹Do not take your revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s anger, for the Scripture says, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay them back, says the Lord.” ²⁰No! If your enemy is hungry, feed him! If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! For if you do, you will heap burning coals upon his head! ²¹Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.