1 R ogo-vos pois, irmãos, pela compaixão de Deus, que apresenteis os vossos corpos como um sacrifício vivo, santo e agradável a Deus, que é o vosso culto racional.

Christian brothers, I ask you from my heart to give your bodies to God because of His loving-kindness to us. Let your bodies be a living and holy gift given to God. He is pleased with this kind of gift. This is the true worship that you should give Him.

2 E não vos conformeis a este mundo, mas transformai-vos pela renovação da vossa mente, para que experimenteis qual seja a boa, agradável, e perfeita vontade de Deus.

Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.

3 P orque pela graça que me foi dada, digo a cada um dentre vós que não tenha de si mesmo mais alto conceito do que convém; mas que pense de si sobriamente, conforme a medida da fé que Deus, repartiu a cada um.

God has given me His loving-favor. This helps me write these things to you. I ask each one of you not to think more of himself than he should think. Instead, think in the right way toward yourself by the faith God has given you.

4 P ois assim como em um corpo temos muitos membros, e nem todos os membros têm a mesma função,

Our bodies are made up of many parts. None of these parts have the same use.

5 a ssim nós, embora muitos, somos um só corpo em Cristo, e individualmente uns dos outros.

There are many people who belong to Christ. And yet, we are one body which is Christ’s. We are all different but we depend on each other.

6 D e modo que, tendo diferentes dons segundo a graça que nos foi dada, se é profecia, seja ela segundo a medida da fé;

We all have different gifts that God has given to us by His loving-favor. We are to use them. If someone has the gift of preaching the Good News, he should preach. He should use the faith God has given him.

7 s e é ministério, seja em ministrar; se é ensinar, haja dedicação ao ensino;

If someone has the gift of helping others, then he should help. If someone has the gift of teaching, he should teach.

8 o u que exorta, use esse dom em exortar; o que reparte, faça-o com liberalidade; o que preside, com zelo; o que usa de misericórdia, com alegria.

If someone has the gift of speaking words of comfort and help, he should speak. If someone has the gift of sharing what he has, he should give from a willing heart. If someone has the gift of leading other people, he should lead them. If someone has the gift of showing kindness to others, he should be happy as he does it.

9 O amor seja não fingido. Aborrecei o mal e apegai-vos ao bem.

Be sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good.

10 A mai-vos cordialmente uns aos outros com amor fraternal, preferindo-vos em honra uns aos outros;

Love each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other.

11 n ão sejais vagarosos no cuidado; sede fervorosos no espírito, servindo ao Senhor;

Do not be lazy but always work hard. Work for the Lord with a heart full of love for Him.

12 a legrai-vos na esperança, sede pacientes na tribulação, perseverai na oração;

Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying.

13 a cudi aos santos nas suas necessidades, exercei a hospitalidade;

Share what you have with Christian brothers who are in need. Give meals and a place to stay to those who need it.

14 a bençoai aos que vos perseguem; abençoai, e não amaldiçoeis;

Pray and give thanks for those who make trouble for you. Yes, pray for them instead of talking against them.

15 a legrai-vos com os que se alegram; chorai com os que choram;

Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.

16 s ede unânimes entre vós; não ambicioneis coisas altivas mas acomodai-vos

Live in peace with each other. Do not act or think with pride. Be happy to be with poor people. Keep yourself from thinking you are so wise.

17 a ninguém torneis mal por mal; procurai as coisas dignas, perante todos os homens.

When someone does something bad to you, do not pay him back with something bad. Try to do what all men know is right and good.

18 S e for possível, quanto depender de vós, tende paz com todos os homens.

As much as you can, live in peace with all men.

19 N ão vos vingueis a vós mesmos, amados, mas dai lugar ã ira de Deus, porque está escrito: Minha é a vingança, eu retribuirei, diz o Senhor.

Christian brothers, never pay back someone for the bad he has done to you. Let the anger of God take care of the other person. The Holy Writings say, “I will pay back to them what they should get, says the Lord.”

20 A ntes, se o teu inimigo tiver fome, dá-lhe de comer; se tiver sede, dá-lhe de beber; porque, fazendo isto amontoarás brasas de fogo sobre a sua cabeça.

“If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself.”

21 N ão te deixes vencer do mal, mas vence o mal com o bem.

Do not let sin have power over you. Let good have power over sin!