I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to 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, through the grace given to me, I say, 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. [1] 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 liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. [2] [3] 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. 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; [4] 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them who persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that 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. [5] 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thy enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirsteth, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
CHAP. 13.
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, |strong="G5607" \w* are ordained by God. [6]
2 Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Therefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to one’s neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in revellings and drunkenness, not in immorality and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [7]
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.
CHAP. 14.
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. [8]
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
