Romans 12
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. He instructs them on the use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ and on practical duties: love without hypocrisy, patience in tribulation, hospitality, and overcoming evil with good.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. | I urge You, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present Your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God — which is Your reasonable service. |
| 2 | And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your mind, so that You may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. |
| 3 | For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. | By the grace given to me, I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than You ought, but think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith God has given You. |
| 4 | For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: | Just as we have many members in one body and these members do not all have the same function, |
| 5 | So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. | so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. |
| 6 | Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; | We have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If prophecy — use it in proportion to Your faith. |
| 7 | Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; | If serving — serve. If teaching — teach. |
| 8 | Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. | If encouraging — encourage. If giving — give generously. If leading — lead with diligence. If showing mercy — do it cheerfully. |
| 9 | Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. | Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good. |
| 10 | Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; | Love one another with brotherly affection. In honor, put others before yourselves. |
| 11 | Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; | Do not be lazy, but be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord. |
| 12 | Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; | Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. |
| 13 | Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. | Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. |
| 14 | Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. | Bless those who persecute You — bless and do not curse. |
| 15 | Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. | Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. |
| 16 | Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. | Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. |
| 17 | Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. | Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do what is right in the eyes of everyone. |
| 18 | If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. | If it is possible, as far as it depends on You, live at peace with everyone. |
| 19 | Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. | Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." |
| 20 | Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. | "If Your enemy is hungry, feed Him. If He is thirsty, give Him a drink. In doing so, You will heap burning coals on His head." |
| 21 | Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. | Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |