12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.
12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
12:4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your* faith; / *Or the
12:7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
12:8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,* do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. / *Or to provide for others
12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
12:13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.* Do not be conceited. / *Or willing to do menial work
12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”* says the Lord. / *Deut. 32:35
12:20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”* / *Prov. 25:21,22
12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.