Romans 12
Believers are urged to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice 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. The passage emphasizes the importance of genuine love, humility, and kindness, even towards those who persecute them, and exhorts believers to seek peace with all people and to overcome evil with goodness.
1And 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 mind2And 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 perfect3For 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 one4For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role5so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other6And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith7or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness9Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good10loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor11in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord12in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing13in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive14Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse15Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping16Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself17Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men18If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men19Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: "Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.20So 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 head21Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness
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