A living sacrifice
1So I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God: offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your worship, and it is the only one that makes sense. 2Do not let this present age press you into its mold; be transformed as your mind is made new, so that you can tell what God wants—what is good, what pleases him, what is perfect. 3By the grace given to me I say this to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you should think. Think with a level head, each according to the measure of faith God has handed out. 4In one body we have many parts, and the parts do not all do the same work. 5In the same way we, though many, are one body in Christ, and each of us is a part belonging to the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If it is prophecy, prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7If it is service, then serve. If you teach, then teach. 8If you encourage, then encourage. If you give, give with an open hand. If you lead, lead with energy. If you show mercy, show it cheerfully.
Love without pretense
9Let love be without pretense. Recoil from what is evil; hold tight to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another with family affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not let your effort slacken. Keep the Spirit at a boil. Serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope. Hold up under trouble. Keep at your prayers. 13Share with the saints in their needs. Chase after chances to welcome strangers. 14Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not set your mind on grand things; let yourself be drawn to what is lowly. Do not be clever in your own eyes. 17Pay no one back evil for evil. Give thought to what is good in everyone’s eyes. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, dear friends; leave room for wrath, for it stands written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20Instead: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not let evil conquer you; conquer evil with good.
