Romans 12

1So, brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the mercies of God: offer your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him. That is your reasonable worship. 2Do not let this present age press you into its mold, but be changed through and through as your mind is made new. Then you will be able to test and recognize the will of God: what is good and pleasing and perfect.

3By the grace given to me I tell each one of you: do not rate yourself higher than you should. Let your thinking be sober and sensible instead, in keeping with the measure of faith that God has assigned to each of you. 4We have many parts in a single body, and the parts do not all have the same task. 5In the same way, many as we are, we are one body in Christ, and each of us is a part that belongs to all the others. 6We have gifts that differ, according to the grace given to us. If someone’s gift is prophecy, they should prophesy in proportion to their faith. 7If it is serving, they should give themselves to serving; the one who teaches, to teaching; 8the one who encourages, to encouraging. The one who shares should share generously; the one who leads, with eagerness; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9Let your love be real, with no pretense. Loathe evil and stick to what is good. 10Love one another warmly, as brothers and sisters in one family; take the lead in honoring one another. 11Never let your eagerness flag; be on fire in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12Let your hope keep you rejoicing; hold out under trouble; keep at prayer. 13Share with God’s holy people in their needs, and be eager to welcome guests. 14Bless the people who persecute you. Bless them, and do not curse them. 15Share the joy of those who are glad, and the tears of those who weep. 16Be of one mind toward each other. Do not aim at lofty things, but be glad to go along with people of low position. Do not count yourselves wise. 17Do not pay anyone back with evil for the evil done to you. Plan ahead to do what everyone recognizes as good. 18If it can be done, and so far as it lies with you, keep peace with everyone. 19Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Step aside and let God’s wrath do its work, for it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20Instead, if your enemy is hungry, give them food; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing this you will pile burning coals on their head. 21Do not let evil defeat you; defeat evil with good.