The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 For this reason I make request to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you will give your bodies as a living offering, holy, pleasing to God, which is the worship it is right for you to give him.
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So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.
2 And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.
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Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
3 But I say to every one of you, through the grace given to me, not to have an over-high opinion of himself, but to have wise thoughts, as God has given to every one a measure of faith.
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And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.
4 For, as we have a number of parts in one body, but all the parts have not the same use,
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We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions.
5 So we, though we are a number of persons, are one body in Christ, and are dependent on one another;
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In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.
6 And having different qualities by reason of the grace given to us, such as the quality of a prophet, let it be made use of in relation to the measure of our faith;
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So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have;
7 Or the position of a Deacon of the church, let a man give himself to it; or he who has the power of teaching, let him make use of it;
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if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach;
8 He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious mind; he who has mercy on others, let it be with joy.
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if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully.
9 Let love be without deceit. Be haters of what is evil; keep your minds fixed on what is good.
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Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.
10 Be kind to one another with a brother's love, putting others before yourselves in honour;
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Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another.
11 Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;
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Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.
12 Being glad in hope, quiet in trouble, at all times given to prayer,
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Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
13 Giving to the needs of the saints, ready to take people into your houses.
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Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
14 Give blessing and not curses to those who are cruel to you.
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Ask God to bless those who persecute you - yes, ask him to bless, not to curse.
15 Take part in the joy of those who are glad, and in the grief of those who are sorrowing.
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Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.
16 Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.
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Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
17 Do not give evil for evil to any man. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men.
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If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good.
18 As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men.
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Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.
19 Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.
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Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord."
20 But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head.
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Instead, as the scripture says: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame."
21 Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.
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Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.