A modern English translation drawn directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Translated word-for-word where possible, by a committee with scholarly oversight.
Uses the same source texts as the ESV, NASB, and most academic Bibles, including the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland critical edition.
Romans 12
Romans 12 is the twelfth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans and marks the turn from theological argument to practical application. The 21-verse chapter contains some of Paul's most concentrated instruction for Christian living.
The chapter opens with the famous appeal: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Paul then adds the equally famous companion verse: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
The chapter then turns to humility within the church. By the grace given to him, Paul tells each person not to think of himself more highly than he ought, but to think of himself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given. Just as one body has many members with different functions, so in Christ believers form one body, each member belonging to the others.
Paul lists spiritual gifts in seven categories: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy. Each is to be exercised according to the grace given.
The remainder of the chapter is a rapid series of moral instructions. Love must be sincere. Hate evil; cling to good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor others above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need; practice hospitality.
The closing section addresses how to treat enemies. Bless those who persecute you. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge; leave room for God's wrath. The closing line: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Verse 1. Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Verse 2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Verse 3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
Verse 4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,
Verse 5. so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
Verse 6. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
Verse 7. if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
Verse 8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Verse 9. Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
Verse 10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Verse 11. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Verse 12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Verse 13. Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Verse 14. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Verse 15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Verse 16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Verse 17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Verse 18. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Verse 19. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Verse 20. On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Verse 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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