1 I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service; 2 and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect. 3 For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith, 4 for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office, 5 so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another. 6 And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- 'According to the proportion of faith!' 7 or ministration -- 'In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- 'In the teaching!' 8 or he who is exhorting -- 'In the exhortation!' he who is sharing -- 'In simplicity!' he who is leading -- 'In diligence?' he who is doing kindness -- 'In cheerfulness.' 9 The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good; 10 in the love of brethren, to one another kindly affectioned: in the honour going before one another; 11 in the diligence not slothful; in the spirit fervent; the Lord serving; 12 in the hope rejoicing; in the tribulation enduring; in the prayer persevering; 13 to the necessities of the saints communicating; the hospitality pursuing. 14 Bless those persecuting you; bless, and curse not; 15 to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping, 16 of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit; 17 giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men. 18 If possible -- so far as in you -- with all men being in peace; 19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, 'Vengeance [is] Mine, 20 I will recompense again, saith the Lord;' if, then, thine enemy doth hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head; 21 Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil. | |