The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 12 -

(1 Corinthians 3:16–23; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20)

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.(a)

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.

Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality

(John 13:31–35; 1 John 3:11–24)

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.

Forgiveness

(Matthew 18:21–35)

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.

Footnotes

(a)12:1 Paul is saying that when you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, this must include the submission of will and intellect to God. In the next verse, he goes on to warn about being conformed (in will and intellect) to the ideas and ways of the modern age.(Conte)

(1 Corinthians 3:16–23; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20)

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,

having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;

or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality

(John 13:31–35; 1 John 3:11–24)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another,

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,

rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,

contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.

Forgiveness

(Matthew 18:21–35)

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” (a)

Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”(b)

Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes

(a)12:19 ℘ Deuteronomy 32:35

(b)12:20 ℘ Proverbs 25:21-22