Believers are urged to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God, and to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, so that they may discern God's will. They are also encouraged to use their diverse gifts, such as prophecy, ministry, teaching, and showing mercy, to serve one another in love. Christians are called to live in harmony with one another, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep, and to bless those who persecute them. They are to overcome evil with good, not seeking revenge but instead trusting in God's retribution.
1 And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind 2 And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect 3 For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to all who are among you: Taste no more than it is necessary to taste, but taste unto sobriety and just as God has distributed a share of the faith to each one 4 For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role 5 so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other 6 And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith 7 or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness 9 Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good 10 loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor 11 in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord 12 in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing 13 in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive 14 Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse 15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping 16 Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself 17 Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men 18 If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men 19 Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: "Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord. 20 So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head 21 Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness