A Living Sacrifice

# Chapter 12
1. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
2. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Many Gifts but One Body


3. For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
4. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,
5. in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.
6. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one's faith;
7. if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching;
8. if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

Christian Ethics


9. Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
10. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
11. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
12. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
13. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes.
18. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God's wrath, because it is written, <b class="quote">Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,** 
says the Lord.
20. But
<b class="quote">If your enemy is hungry, feed him.**
<b class="quote">If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.**
<b class="quote">
For in so doing**
<b class="quote">you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.**

21. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.




