1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being.
2 and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.
3 Now it is by virtue of my apostolical commission, that I charge every man among you, not to entertain too high an opinion of himself; but modestly consider, that 'tis God who has dealt to every man his proportion of spiritual gifts.
4 for as there are many members in one and the same body, but all the members have not the same office:
5 so we who are many, make all but one body in Christ, and every member subservient to one another.
6 having then different gifts, according to the respective favour bestowed upon us; if it be prophecy, let him prophesy according to the proportion of his gift.
7 if it be the ministry, let him attend on that ministry; and he that teacheth, on teaching; he that exhorteth,
8 on exhortation: he that giveth, let him be disinterested; he that presideth, let him be diligent; he that sheweth mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. abhor that which is evil, adhere to that which is good.
10 in brotherly kindness be passionately affected to one another; in honour prefer one another:
11 in business be not slothful, but of an active mind, making the best use of every incident.
12 be joyful in hope; be patient under affliction; persevere in prayer;
13 distribute to the necessity of the saints; cultivate hospitality.
14 bless them who persecute you:
15 bless them, but curse not. rejoice with those that do rejoice, and weep with those that weep.
16 have the same respect for one another. let not your behaviour be haughty, but soften'd to the condition of those below you. be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Render no man evil for evil. mind such things as are approved not only by God, but by men.
18 do all you can to live peaceably, if it be possible, with all mankind.
19 dear brethren, avenge not yourselves, but leave that to the resentment of another: for it is written, "vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
20 therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, you will heap coals of fire on his head .