Romans 12

1So I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the compassion of God, to offer your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God. This is your rational worship.

2Do not take on the pattern of this age. Instead, keep being transformed as your mind is made new, so that you can discern by testing what the will of God is: the good, the pleasing, and the perfect.

3Because of the grace given to me, I tell each one of you not to have an inflated opinion of yourself beyond what is fitting, but to think in a way that shows good sense, in keeping with the measure of faith God has apportioned to each.

4For just as each of us has one body with many parts, and those parts do not all do the same thing,

5so also we, many as we are, form one body in Christ, and each of us is a part belonging to the others.

6Our gifts vary with the grace that has been given to us. Whoever has prophecy should use it in proportion to faith;

7whoever serves should devote themselves to serving; the one who teaches, to teaching;

8the one who encourages, to encouraging. The one who shares should do so with generosity; the one who leads, with eagerness; the one who shows mercy, with gladness.

9Love must be free of pretense. Loathe what is evil and cling to what is good.

10In your love for one another as brothers and sisters, be warmly devoted; take the lead in honoring one another.

11Do not let your eagerness grow slack; be on fire in spirit; serve the Lord.

12Be glad in hope; hold out under affliction; keep at prayer with persistence.

13Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

16Be of one mind toward each other. Do not aim at lofty things, but be at home among the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17Pay no one back with evil for evil. Plan to do what is noble in the sight of all people.

18If it can be done, be at peace with all people, so far as it is up to you.

19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; instead make room for wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.

20On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.