Living Sacrifices
1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 Do 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.
3 For I say through the grace that was given to me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body, and each of the members have a different function. 5 So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Each of us have gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another, in honor preferring one another, 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Forgiveness
14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be proud of your own wisdom. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 19 Do not seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but make room for God’s wrath. For it is written,
“Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay, says the Lord.” a
20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For in doing so,
you will heap coals of fire on his head.” b
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
a Deuteronomy 32:35
b Proverbs 21-22″>Proverbs 25:21-22