New Living Translation

King James Bible

A Living Sacrifice to God

And so, dear brothers and sisters,a I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.b

1

Living Sacrifices

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

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

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

Because of the privilege and authorityc God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.d

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

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,

4

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5

so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

5

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

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

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.

7

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

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

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

9

Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10

Love each other with genuine affection,e and take delight in honoring each other.

10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.f

11

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

12

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

14

Forgiveness

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

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

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”g
says the LORD.

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

Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”h

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

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Parallel

New Living Translation

King James Bible

Romans 12

Romans 12