1So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate way to worship him.
2Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good, pleasing, and perfect his will really is.
3By the grace God gave me, I tell everyone among you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, think of yourselves with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given to each of you.
4Just as our bodies have many parts, and all these parts have different functions,
5in the same way, we who are many are one body in Christ, and we are individual parts of one another.
6We have different gifts, depending on the grace that God gave us. If a person's gift is prophecy, they should use it according to the amount of faith they have.
7If the gift is serving, serve well. If it is teaching, teach well.
8If it is encouraging others, encourage them well. Whoever gives to others should do it generously. Whoever leads should do it diligently. Whoever shows mercy should do it cheerfully.
9Let your love be real. Hate what is evil. Hold tightly to what is good.
10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord with excitement.
12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and be constant in prayer.
13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what everyone considers right.
18If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20Instead: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.