1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 D o not be conformed to this world (this age),, but be transformed (changed) by the renewal of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 F or by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought, but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4 F or as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5 S o we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another.

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6 H aving gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7 p ractical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8 H e who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 l ove be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil, but hold fast to that which is good.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10 L ove one another with brotherly affection, giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

11 N ever lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 R ejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13 C ontribute to the needs of God’s people; pursue the practice of hospitality.

contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14 B less those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15 R ejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 L ive in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17 R epay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble in the sight of everyone.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18 I f possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19 B eloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “ Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 B ut if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.

“ 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.”

21 D o not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.