Dual PanelChristian service and the community
1THEREFORE, my friends, I implore you by God's mercy to offer your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for his acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart.
2Conform no longer to the pattern of this present world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds. Then you will be able to discern the will of God, and to know what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
3By authority of the grace God has given me I say to everyone among you: do not think too highly of yourself, but form a sober estimate based on the measure of faith that God has dealt to each of you.
4For just as in a single human body there are many limbs and organs, all with different functions,
5so we who are united with Christ, though many, form one body, and belong to one another as its limbs and organs.
6Let us use the different gifts allotted to each of us by God's grace: the gift of inspired utterance, for example, let us use in proportion to our faith;
7the gift of administration to administer, the gift of teaching to teach,
8the gift of counselling to counsel. If you give to charity, give without grudging; if you are a leader, lead with enthusiasm; if you help others in distress, do it cheerfully.
9Love in all sincerity, loathing evil and holding fast to the good.
10Let love of the Christian community show itself in mutual affection. Esteem others more highly than yourself.
11With unflagging zeal, aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
12Let hope keep you joyful; in trouble stand firm; persist in prayer;
13contribute to the needs of God's people, and practise hospitality.
14Call down blessings on your persecutors -- blessings, not curses.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16Live in agreement with one another. Do not be proud, but be ready to mix with humble people. Do not keep thinking how wise you are.
17Never pay back evil for evil. Let your aims be such as all count honourable.
18If possible, so far as it lies with you, live at peace with all.
19My dear friends, do not seek revenge, but leave a place for divine retribution; for there is a text which reads, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay.”
20But there is another text: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; by doing this you will heap live coals on his head.”
21Do not let evil conquer you, but use good to conquer evil.