Offered to Our Father
12 1 I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of our Father, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice — holy and pleasing to him. This is your true and reasonable worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this present age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what the will of our Father is — what is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith our Father has assigned. 4 For just as in one body we have many parts, and the parts do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and each of us belongs to the others. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: if prophecy, let us use it in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who encourages, in his encouragement; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who leads, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be lacking in zeal, but be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be devoted to prayer. 13 Share with our Father's people 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, but associate with the lowly. Don't be wise in your own eyes. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Be careful to do what is honorable in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for our Father's wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says our Father."
20 On the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for in doing so you will heap burning coals on his head." a a v20 Heaping burning coals on an enemy's head pictures overwhelming them with shame or conviction through unexpected kindness.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.