1 I appeal to you therefore,
brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual
worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of
God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to
me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than
you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to
the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have
many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we,
who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members
one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given
to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the
teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in
generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in
cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to
what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one
another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit,
serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere
in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality
to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with
the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone
evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with
all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath
of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the
Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are
thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap
burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.
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