Paul urges believers to offer themselves as a living sacrifice and be transformed by a renewed mind. He describes the church as one body with many gifts, and calls for sincere love that overcomes evil with good.
1 I beseech you therefore , brethren , by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice , holy , acceptable unto God , which is your reasonable service .
2 And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind , that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable , and perfect , will of God .
3 For I say , through the grace given unto me , to every man that is among you , not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think ; but to think soberly , according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith .
4 For as we have many members in one body , and all members have not the same office :
5 So we , being many , are one body in Christ , and every one members one of another .
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us , whether prophecy , let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith ;
7 Or ministry , let us wait on our ministering : or he that teacheth , on teaching ;
8 Or he that exhorteth , on exhortation : he that giveth , let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth , with diligence ; he that sheweth mercy , with cheerfulness .
9 Let love be without dissimulation . Abhor that which is evil ; cleave to that which is good .
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love ; in honour preferring one another ;
11 Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord ;
12 Rejoicing in hope ; patient in tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer ;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints ; given to hospitality .
14 Bless them which persecute you : bless , and curse not .
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice , and weep with them that weep .
16 Be of the same mind one toward another . Mind not high things , but condescend to men of low estate . Be not wise in your own conceits .
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil . Provide things honest in the sight of all men .
18 If it be possible , as much as lieth in you , live peaceably with all men .
19 Dearly beloved , avenge not yourselves , but rather give place unto wrath : 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 thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head .
21 Be not overcome of evil , but overcome evil with good .