12:1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, {and} beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service {and} spiritual worship. |
12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, {even} the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. |
12:3 For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate {and} think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. |
12:4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function {or} use, |
12:5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. |
12:6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; |
12:7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; |
12:8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity {and} liberality; he who gives aid {and} superintends, with zeal {and} singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness {and} joyful eagerness. |
12:9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. |
12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence {and} showing honor to one another. |
12:11 Never lag in zeal {and} in earnest endeavor; be aglow {and} burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. |
12:12 Rejoice {and} exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering {and} tribulation; be constant in prayer. |
12:13 Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality. |
12:14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. |
12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]. |
12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] {and} give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself {or} be wise in your own conceits. |
12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest {and} proper {and} noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. |
12:18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. |
12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. |
12:20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. |
12:21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. |