And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind
And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect
For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to all who are among you: Taste no more than it is necessary to taste, but taste unto sobriety and just as God has distributed a share of the faith to each one
For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role
so also we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one is a part, the one of the other
And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith
or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who governs, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness
Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good
loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor
in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord
in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing
in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive
Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse
Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping
Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself
Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men
If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men
Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.
So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head
Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness