Rom 12 | ISV | STEP | Dedicate Your Lives to God I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

Romans 12

1 Dedicate Your Lives to GodI therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. ^{▼▼Lit. to God, your reasonable worship}Ps 50:13-14; Rom 6:13, 16, 19; Rom 6:13, 16, 19, 1Cor 6:13, 20; 2Cor 10:1; Heb 10:20; 1Pet 2:5 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is—what is proper, ^{▼▼Or good} pleasing, and perfect.Eph 1:18; 4:23; Col 1:21-22; 3:10; 1Thes 4:3; 1Pet 1:14; 1John 2:15

3 For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.Prov 25:27; Eccl 7:16; Rom 1:5; 11:20; 15:15; 1Cor 3:10; 15:10; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:2, 7-8; 4:7 4 For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function.1Cor 12:12; Eph 4:16 5 In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other.1Cor 10:17; Eph 1:23; 4:25 6 We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift ^{▼▼Lit. If prophecy} in proportion to your faith.Acts 11:27; Rom 4:3; 1Cor 12:4, 10, 28; 13:2; 1Pet 4:10-11 7 If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. ^{▼▼Lit. If serving, in serving} If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others. ^{▼▼Lit. If teaching, in teaching}Acts 13:1; Gal 6:6; Eph 4:11; 1Tim 5:17 8 If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. ^{▼▼Lit. If encouraging, in encouragement} If it is sharing, share generously. ^{▼▼Lit. The one who shares, with generosity} If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. ^{▼▼Lit. The one who leads, with enthusiasm} If it is helping, help cheerfully. ^{▼▼Lit. The one who helps, with cheerfulness}Matt 6:1-3; Acts 15:32; 20:28; 1Cor 14:3; 2Cor 9:7; 1Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7, 24; 1Pet 5:2

9 Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.Ps 34:14; 36:4; 97:10; Amos 5:15; 1Tim 1:5; 1Pet 1:22 10 Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel in showing respect for each other.Phil 2:3; Heb 13:1; 1Pet 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 5:5; 2Pet 1:7 11 Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord. ^{▼▼Other mss. read the time} 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer.Luke 10:20; 18:1; 21:19; Acts 2:42; 12:5; Rom 5:2; 15:13; Eph 6:18; Phil 3:1; 4:4; Col 4:2; 1Thes 2:17; 5:16; 1Tim 6:11; Heb 3:6; 10:36; 12:1; James 1:4; 5:7; 1Pet 2:19-20; 4:13 13 Supply the needs of the saints. Extend hospitality to strangers.1Cor 16:1; 2Cor 9:1, 12; 1Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8; Heb 6:10; 1Pet 4:9; 1John 3:17

14 Bless those who persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse them.Matt 5:44; Luke 6:28; 23:34; Acts 7:60; 1Cor 4:12; 1Pet 2:23; 3:9 15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those who are crying.1Cor 12:26 16 Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.Ps 131:1-2; Prov 3:7; 26:12; Isa 5:21; Jer 45:5; Rom 11:25; 15:5; 1Cor 1:10; Phil 2:2; 3:16; 1Pet 3:8

17 Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, but ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks but} focus your thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people.Prov 20:22; Matt 5:39; Rom 14:16; 2Cor 8:21; 1Thes 5:15; 1Pet 3:9 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people.Mark 9:50; Rom 14:19; Heb 12:14 19 Do not take revenge, dear fiends, but leave room for God's ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks God's} wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord.” ^{▼▼Deut 32:35}Lev 19:18; Deut 32:35; Prov 24:29; Rom 12:17; Heb 10:30 20 But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him. For if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head.” ^{▼▼Prov 25:21-22}Exod 23:4-5; Prov 25:21-22; Matt 5:44 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.