And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. | Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. |
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. | Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. |
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. | For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. |
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. | For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. |
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. | Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. |
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. | In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another. |
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. | Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. |
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. | Rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer. |
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. | Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. |
Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. | Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. |
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! | Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. |
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. | If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. |
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. | Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” |
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. | Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
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