1 Well then, my brothers, I appeal to you by all the mercy of God to dedicate your bodies as a living sacrifice, consecrated and acceptable to God; that is your cult, a spiritual rite.
2 Instead of being moulded to this world, have your mind renewed, and so be transformed in nature, able to make out what the will of God is, namely, what is good and acceptable to him and perfect.
3 In virtue of my office, I tell everyone of your number who is self-important, that he is not to think more of himself than he ought to think; he must take a sane view of himself, corresponding to the degree of faith which God has assigned to each.
4 In our one body we have a number of members, and the members have not all the same function;
5 so too, for all our numbers, we form one Body in Christ and we are severally members one of another.
6 Our talents differ with the grace that is given us; if the talent is that of prophecy, let us employ it in proportion to our faith;
7 if it is practical service, let us mind our service; the teacher must mind his teaching,
8 the speaker his words of counsel; the contributor must be liberal, the superintendent must be in earnest, the sick visitor must be cheerful.
9 Let your love be a real thing, with a loathing for evil and a bent for what is good.
10 Put affection into your love for the brotherhood; be forward to honour one another;
11 never let your zeal flag; maintain the spiritual glow; serve the Lord;
12 let your hope be a joy to you; be stedfast in trouble, attend to prayer,
13 contribute to needy saints, make a practice of hospitality.
14 Bless those who make a practice of persecuting you; bless them instead of cursing them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Keep in harmony with one another; instead of being ambitious, associate with humble folk; never be self-conceited.
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone; aim to be above reproach in the eyes of all;
18 be at peace with all men, if possible, so far as that depends on you.
19 Never revenge yourselves, beloved, but let the Wrath of God have its way; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will exact a requital ??the Lord has said it. No,
20 if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in this way you will make him feel a burning sense of shame.