1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your intelligent 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 conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of mind, that ye may prove what 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 which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each 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, as in one body we have many members, but 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 t hus we, many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.

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 B ut having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to us, whether prophecy, according to the proportion of 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 service, in service; or he that teaches, in 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 exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shews 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 unfeigned; abhorring evil; cleaving to good:

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

10 a s to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other:

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

11 a s to diligent zealousness, not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord.

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

12 A s regards hope, rejoicing: as regards tribulation, enduring: as regards prayer, persevering:

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

13 d istributing 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 those that rejoice, weep with those that weep.

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

16 H ave the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes:

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 ecompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before 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 possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men;

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

19 n ot avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance to 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 I f therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, 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 by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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