King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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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 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.
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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 For I say, through the grace given unto me, 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.
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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 many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
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We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions.
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of 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 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of 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 ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
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if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
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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 dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
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Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
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Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another.
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
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Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
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Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
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Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
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Ask God to bless those who persecute you - yes, ask him to bless, not to curse.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who 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.
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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 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight 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 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
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Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith 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 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap 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 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.