1 C hristian 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.

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

2 D o 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.

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

3 G od 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.

For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

4 O ur bodies are made up of many parts. None of these parts have the same use.

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,

5 T here 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.

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

6 W e 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.

Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

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

or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;

8 I f 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.

or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 B e sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

10 L ove each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other.

In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;

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

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

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

rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;

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

contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

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

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

15 B e happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

16 L ive 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.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

17 W hen 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.

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

18 A s much as you can, live in peace with all men.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

19 C hristian 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.”

Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

20 “ 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.”

Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 D o not let sin have power over you. Let good have power over sin!

Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.