1 Wherefore, brethren, I beseech you, by the tender mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind; that you may approve the will of God, which is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

3 Also, by the favor which is given to me, I charge every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think modestly, as God has distributed to every one a portion of his faith.

4 For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;

5 so we, the many, are one body under Christ, and individually members of one another.

6 Having, then, gifts, differing according to the favor which is given to us-if prophecy act according to the measure of faith-

7 if a ministerial office, in that office-if one is a teacher, in teaching-

8 and the exhorter, in exhortation. Let him who distributes act with disinterestedness-him that presides, with assiduity-him that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor the evil-adhere closely to the good.

10 In brotherly love, be tenderly affectionate to one another-in honor, prefer one another.

11 In business, be not slothful. Be fervent in spirit- constant in serving the Lord.

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly persevering in prayer.

13 Communicate to the necessities of the saints. Follow hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless them who persecute you-bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them who rejoice, and weep with them who weep.

16 Be of the same disposition toward one another. Do not care for high things; but accommodate yourselves to those which are humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 To no one return evil for evil. Seek after things honorable in the sight of all men.

18 What relates to you is, live in peace with all men, if possible.

19 «Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to the wrath of God; for it is written,» 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.'

20 Therefore, if your enemy hunger, give him food: if he thirst, give him drink: for by doing this, you will heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.