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.

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 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 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 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.

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

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

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

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 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;

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

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