1Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your rational offering of divine service.1692 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3By the grace that was given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think [of yourselves] more highly than you should! Instead, think [of yourselves] reasonably, as God has apportioned to everyone a measure of faith. 4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members do not have the same function, 5likewise we, who are many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6We have different gifts according to the grace given to us: if it is prophecy, let us prophesy according to the measure of our faith. 7If it is service, let us dedicate ourselves to service! He who teaches should do his teaching; 8or he who exhorts his exhorting. As for the one who gives, let the giving be done with generosity. He who rules should rule with diligence and the one who shows mercy should do so with joy.
Christian living
9Let your love be without hypocrisy. Reject with horror what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10In love for the brethren, be tenderly affectionate with one another; place the honor of others above your own. 11Do not fall back in zeal; be fervent in the spirit,1693 serving the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, endure in troubles, persevere in prayer; 13contribute to the needs of the saints; look for opportunities to be hospitable. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse! 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep! 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Do not set your mind on exalted things, but associate with the humble. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are. 17Repay no one evil for evil. Show respect for what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, as much as is in your power, be at peace with all people. 19Do not seek revenge, beloved, but let God’s wrath follow its course. As it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”1694 20Therefore:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
In doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.1695
21Do not be overcome by evil; instead, overcome evil with good.
About higher authorities
- Greek logikh.n latrei,an
- Or “Spirit”
- Deuteronomy 32:35
- Proverbs 25:21-22. NT agrees with LXX against MT.
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
