Romans 12

⁵you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

¹³Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

¹⁹I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

¹⁵Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.

¹⁶And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

¹As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

¹⁴As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

²²to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

²³to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

¹⁷Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

¹⁶For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

³If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

¹²Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

⁵Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

¹⁶Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

¹²The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.

¹³For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

¹⁶From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

⁴There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

¹⁷Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

³⁰For we are members of His body.

¹⁹He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

¹⁰As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

¹¹If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

⁷I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?

⁴There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

⁵There are different ministries, but the same Lord.

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

¹Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

²Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

¹⁷Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

¹¹And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

¹¹Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

¹⁷“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

¹⁸If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.

⁷Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

¹⁷Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

⁴An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

⁵For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

³²Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

¹⁵After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

¹⁴Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

⁸Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

⁵The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

¹⁸Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

¹⁹And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:

¹⁰For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

¹¹He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

²¹but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

³⁴A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

³⁵By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

¹Continue in brotherly love.

¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

⁸Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

²²Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

¹⁰For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

¹¹We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

²⁵He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

¹⁵I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!

¹⁶So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!

⁴The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

²³Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

⁸Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

¹³Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

³⁶You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

⁸Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

³Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁷Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

¹⁶And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

¹²For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

¹⁷If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

¹⁰For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

⁹Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

¹⁵Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

¹³when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

³Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.

¹³Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.

¹⁴I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

³⁴“Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered.

²⁵Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?

⁵⁸Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

⁸Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

¹⁴But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

²²Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and He will save you.

¹⁵Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

³⁹But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

²⁰We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

²¹For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁴Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

¹⁹So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

¹¹Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

¹⁶For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

³⁵Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”

³⁰For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

²⁹Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

²²Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and He will save you.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

⁶and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

²²For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

²⁷But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

⁴If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.

⁵If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

²²“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

¹⁶When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

¹⁷and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

²⁷But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

³²He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.