A Living and Holy Sacrifice

1Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your [†]spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this [†]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and [†]perfect.

3For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another, 6but having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, [†]in agreement with the faith; 7or [†]service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [†]generosity; he who [†]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10being devoted to one another in brotherly love, [†]giving preference to one another in honor, 11not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the [†]saints, pursuing hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute [†]you; bless, and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but [†]associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind. 17Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, [†]respecting what is good in the sight of all men, 18if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men, 19never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead [†]leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.