I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your thoughtfulThe Greek word is logikos. This is their worship as a priestly people in contrast to the priestly service in the temple. worship; 2 and do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of the mind in order for you to prove what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 For I say through the grace given to me to everyone being among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think so as to think soundly, to each as God apportioned the measure of faith. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another—6 having charismata differing according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy according to the proportion of the faith, 7 whether serving in the serving, whether the one teaching in the teaching, 8 whether the one exhorting in the exhortation; the one contributing in simplicity/sincerity, the one leading/caring in diligence, the one showing-mercy in cheerfulness.
9 The love sincere; abhorring evil, clinging to the good; 10 devoted to one another with brotherly love, going ahead of one another in honour; 11 in earnestness not indolent, fervent in the Spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in the hope, enduring in affliction, being persistent in prayer; 13 having in common the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. 14 Bless those harassing [you], bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those rejoicing, weep with those weeping. 16 Thinking the same thing towards one another, not thinking proud things but associating with the oppressed. Do not be wise according to yourselves.
17 Repaying no one evil for evil, giving forethought to good things in the sight of all people. 18 If possible for you, being at peace with all people; 19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place for the wrath, for it has been written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”In other words, don’t seek to avenge yourselves against those who persecute you because God himself will soon act to judge first the rebellious Jew, then the idolatrous Greek. To Paul’s mind, these will be real historical outcomes. 20 But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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