1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

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.

2 A nd be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Do 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.

3 F or I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

For 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.

4 F or even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

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

5 s o we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

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

6 A nd having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

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

7 o r ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

8 o r he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

He 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.

9 L et love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

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

10 I n love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;

Love one another with brotherly affection, giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

11 i n diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

12 r ejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

13 c ommunicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.

Contribute to the needs of God’s people; pursue the practice of hospitality.

14 B less them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.

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

15 R ejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

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

16 B e of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Live 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.

17 R ender to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.

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

18 I f it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19 A venge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.

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

20 B ut if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

But 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.

21 B e not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.