Romans 12

1 Therefore [on account of this, for this reason] I urge [beseech, plead with] you, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], on account of God’s [the one true deity, divine] mercy [compassion, pity], to offer [present, dedicate] your bodies [physical persons, entire being] as living [alive, vibrant] sacrifices [offerings, gifts], holy [set apart, consecrated] and pleasing [well-pleasing, acceptable] to God, which is your [reasonable] spiritual service [ministry, worship] of worship [devotion, adoration]. word study 2 Do not be conformed [fashioned according to, molded by] to this world [age, system of things], but be transformed [completely changed, renewed] by the renewing [making new, restoration] of your mind [intellect, understanding]. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good [beneficial, righteous], pleasing [well-pleasing, acceptable], and perfect [complete, mature] will [desire, intention] of God [the Supreme Being, Creator]. word study 3 For by the [divine influence, gracious gift] grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself [more proudly, with excessive pride] more highly than you ought, but think of yourself [soberly, with sound judgment] with sober judgment, according to the [standard, allotted portion] measure of faith [trust, confidence in God] God has given you. word study 4 Just as [exactly like, in the same way] each of us has one [single, unified] body [physical person, the church as a whole] with many [numerous, diverse] members [parts, limbs], and not all [none, no] members [parts, limbs] have the same [identical, uniform] function [action, role, office], word study 5 so in Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] we who are many [a large number, numerous] are one body [a unified whole, single entity], and each member [part, limb] belongs to [is dependent on, connected with] one another [each other, mutually]. word study 6 We have different [various, diverse] gifts [spiritual endowments, divine gratuities] according to the [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] given us [bestowed upon us, granted to us]. If one’s gift [spiritual ability, charisma] is prophecy [speaking forth God’s message, declaring His will], let him use it [exercise it, employ it] in proportion [a balanced share, a fair measure] to his [the proportion of our] faith [trust, confidence in God]; word study 7 if it is serving [ministry, or helping others], let him serve; if it is teaching [instructing, or guiding], let him teach; word study 8 if it is encouraging [exhorting, comforting], let him encourage [with comfort, solace]; if it is giving [sharing, distributing], let him give [with simplicity, generosity] generously; if it is leading [ruling, presiding], let him lead [carefulness] with diligence; if it is showing mercy [having compassion, pity], let him do it [with cheerfulness, joy] cheerfully. word study 9 Love [unconditional, sincere, without hypocrisy] must be [genuine, without dissimulation] sincere [unfeigned, true]. Detest [abhor, hate] what is [morally wrong, bad] evil [causing harm]; cling [cleave, join] to what is [beneficial] good [producing a good outcome]. word study 10 Be devoted [kindly affectioned, tenderly loving] to one another [toward each other, mutually] in brotherly love [affection as family in faith]. Outdo [prefer, go before] yourselves [one another, in mutual respect] in honoring [showing esteem, valuing highly] one another [each other, in humility]. word study 11 Do not let your zeal [fervent spirit, eagerness] subside; keep your spiritual fervor [in spirit, being on fire for God], serving [as a slave, in diligent obedience] the Lord [God, Master]. word study 12 Be joyful [rejoicing, feeling happy] in hope [trusting in God’s goodness, expectation], patient [enduring, remaining steadfast] in affliction [pressure, tribulation, distress], persistent [continuing steadfastly, persevering] in prayer [talking to God, communion with Him]. word study 13 Share [distribute, contribute] with the saints [holy ones, set apart] who are in need [necessity, requirement] [communicating to, providing for]. Practice [pursue, show] hospitality [love to strangers]. word study 14 Bless [speak well of, praise] those who persecute [pursue, follow with hostile intent] you. Bless [show kindness to, speak well of] and do not [lest, God forbid] curse [wish harm upon, speak evil of]. word study 15 Rejoice [with heartfelt gladness, in the joy of others] with those who rejoice [are glad, experience happiness]; weep [cry out loud, mourn deeply] with those who weep [are sorrowing, in a state of grief]. word study 16 Live in harmony [being of the same mind, having like affection] with one another [toward each other, mutually]. Do not be proud [haughty, minding high things], but enjoy the company [condescend to, associate with] of the lowly [humble, those of low estate]. Do not be conceited [wise in your own conceits, thinking yourselves wise] [being thoughtful, discreet]. word study 17 Do not repay [render, give back] anyone evil [harm, wrongdoing] for evil [harm, worthless things]. Carefully consider [take thought, provide] what is right [honorable, good] in the eyes [sight, presence] of everybody [all men, all people]. word study 18 If it is possible [as much as lieth in you, to the extent that you can influence the situation] on your part [from your side, as far as it’s up to you], live [be, dwell, have your being] at peace [in harmony, with reconciliation] with everyone [all men, all people, every human being]. word study 19 Do not [refuse to, never] avenge [take revenge, punish] yourselves, beloved [dearly loved, cherished], but [instead, on the contrary] leave room [give place, make space] for God’s [the Lord’s, divine] wrath [strong anger, righteous indignation]. For it is written: “Vengeance [punishment, retribution] is Mine; I [the Lord, God] will repay [give back, reward], says the Lord [the Supreme Ruler, God].” word study 20 On the contrary, “If your [personal, hostile] enemy [one who hates you] is hungry [in need of food, craving nourishment], feed [nourish, give to eat] him; if he is thirsty [in need of drink, parched], give him a drink [water, satisfy his thirst]. For in so doing [by this action, in this way], you will heap [pile up, accumulate] burning coals [charcoal, fiery embers] on his head [the seat of thoughts, emotions, and will].” word study 21 Do not [allow yourself to be defeated] be overcome by [the power of] evil [harm or wickedness], but [on the other hand, intentionally] overcome evil [the forces of darkness] with [acts of] good [beneficial, righteous, and virtuous actions]. word study