Paul’s Letter to the Romans
121 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 122 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
123 For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. 124 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, 125 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, 126 having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 127 or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 128 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
129 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 1210 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; 1211 not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 1212 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; 1213 contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. 1214 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. 1215 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 1216 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. 1217 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 1218 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 1219 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” 1220 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
1221 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 12
131 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 132 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 133 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, 134 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 135 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 136 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing. 137 Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
138 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 139 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 310 Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.