Romans 12:9-21 - Living In Love

⁹ Let [your] love be sincere. Hate whatever is evil. Cling to whatever is good. ¹⁰ In your love for your brothers, show tender affection toward one another. Try to outdo one another in showing respect [for each other]. ¹¹ Be enthusiastic instead of lazy. Be fervent in your spirit [Note: Some translators take "spirit" here to refer to the "Holy Spirit"], [as you] serve the Lord. ¹² Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality. ¹⁴ Ask God's blessing on people who persecute you, instead of cursing them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are joyful. Cry with those who are sad. ¹⁶ Have the same [good] thoughts toward one another. Do not [always] be thinking you are a "bigshot," but lower yourself to accept humble tasks [or, humble people]. Do not think you are so smart. ¹⁷ Do not [try to] pay back a wrong done to you by doing something wrong to the other person. Think about how to live honorably in front of all people. ¹⁸ If it is at all possible, as far as your part is concerned, live peacefully with all people. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge on someone who has wronged you, but leave it up to God's wrath [to take care of it], for it is written [Deut. 22:35], "The Lord says, I will pay people back [for doing wrong] because taking revenge belongs to me." ²⁰ But [Prov. 25:21-25 says], "Feed your enemy if he is hungry; give him something to drink if he is thirsty. For when you do this, it will be [like] heaping burning coals on his head." [i.e., it can cause him burning shame that can lead to his repentance and ultimate forgiveness].

²¹ [So], do not be conquered by evil, but [instead] conquer evil by doing good.