Romans 12 - New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform(C) to the pattern of this world,(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is(F)—his good, pleasing(G) and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me(H) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,(I) 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body,(J) and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts,(K) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(L) then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;(M) 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(N) 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(O) if it is giving, then give generously;(P) if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere.(Q) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(R) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(S) Honor one another above yourselves.(T) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(U) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(V) patient in affliction,(W) faithful in prayer.(X) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(Y) Practice hospitality.(Z)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(AA) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(AB) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(AC) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.(AD)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(AE) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(AF) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(AG) 19 Do not take revenge,(AH) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d](AI) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e](AJ)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:6 Or the
  2. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
  3. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  4. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  5. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

Cross references

  1. Romans 12:1 : Eph 4:1; 1Pe 2:11
  2. Romans 12:1 : Ro 6:13, 16, 19; 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 2:5
  3. Romans 12:2 : 1Pe 1:14
  4. Romans 12:2 : 1Co 1:20; 2Co 10:2; 1Jn 2:15
  5. Romans 12:2 : Eph 4:23
  6. Romans 12:2 : S Eph 5:17
  7. Romans 12:2 : S 1Ti 5:4
  8. Romans 12:3 : Ro 15:15; 1Co 15:10; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:7; 4:7; 1Pe 4:10, 11
  9. Romans 12:4 : 1Co 12:12-14; Eph 4:16
  10. Romans 12:5 : 1Co 6:15; 10:17; 12:12, 20, 27; Eph 2:16; 4:4, 25; 5:30; Col 3:15
  11. Romans 12:6 : 1Co 7:7; 12:4, 8-10
  12. Romans 12:6 : S Eph 4:11
  13. Romans 12:6 : 1Pe 4:10, 11
  14. Romans 12:7 : S Eph 4:11
  15. Romans 12:8 : Ac 11:23; 13:15; 15:32
  16. Romans 12:8 : 2Co 8:2; 9:5-13
  17. Romans 12:9 : 2Co 6:6; 1Ti 1:5
  18. Romans 12:9 : Ps 97:10; Am 5:15; 1Th 5:21, 22
  19. Romans 12:10 : Ps 133:1; 1Th 4:9; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 1:22
  20. Romans 12:10 : Php 2:3
  21. Romans 12:11 : Ac 18:25
  22. Romans 12:12 : Ro 5:2
  23. Romans 12:12 : Heb 10:32, 36
  24. Romans 12:12 : S Lk 18:1
  25. Romans 12:13 : S Ac 24:17
  26. Romans 12:13 : 2Ki 4:10; Job 31:32; 1Ti 3:2; 5:10; Heb 13:2; 1Pe 4:9
  27. Romans 12:14 : S Mt 5:44
  28. Romans 12:15 : Job 30:25
  29. Romans 12:16 : S Ro 15:5
  30. Romans 12:16 : ver 3; Ps 131:1; Isa 5:21; Jer 45:5; Ro 11:25
  31. Romans 12:17 : ver 19; Pr 20:22; 24:29
  32. Romans 12:17 : 2Co 8:21
  33. Romans 12:18 : S Mk 9:50; S Ro 14:19
  34. Romans 12:19 : ver 17; Lev 19:18; Pr 20:22; 24:29
  35. Romans 12:19 : Dt 32:35; Ge 50:19; 1Sa 26:10; Ps 94:1; Jer 51:36
  36. Romans 12:20 : Pr 25:21, 22; Ex 23:4; Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27

You Might Also Like:

Romans 12 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

12 I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service; 2 and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will o...
Read More

Romans 12 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

12 Therefore, brethren, I beseech you by the mercy of God, that ye give your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, and your service reasonable. 2 And do not ye be conformed to this world, but be ye reformed in newness of your wit, that ye prove which is the will of God, good, and well p...
Read More

Romans 12 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

12 God has been kind to you. So I ask you, brothers, give your bodies to him like a living sacrifice. That is, a holy sacrifice. It will please God. And it is what you should do for him. 2 Do not be like the people of this world, but have a new mind. Then you will prove for yourselves what God wants...
Read More

Romans 12 - World English Bible (WEB)

12 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. 2 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, ...
Read More

Romans 12 - The Voice (VOICE)

12 Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. 2 Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image....
Read More

Romans 12 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Be Dead to Self12 I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service. 2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern wha...
Read More

Romans 12 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The New Life in Christ12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove w...
Read More

Romans 12 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The New Life in Christ12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove w...
Read More

Romans 12 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

12 Therefore, I urge you brothers, by the mercies of God, to give up your bodies - a living sacrifice; holy and acceptable to God – as your reasonable service. 2 And do not conform yourselves to this world. But be changed, by the renewing of your mind. So that you may test what the good and acceptab...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Living Sacrifice12 So, my dear family, this is my appeal to you by the mercies of God: offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Worship like this brings your mind into line with God’s. 2 What’s more, don’t let yourselves be squeezed into the shape dictated by the prese...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The New Life in Christ12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual[b] worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The New Life in Christ12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship.(A)2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the min...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The sweet living, love, and works of the people who believe in Christ. 12 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercifulness of God, to make your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable serving of God. 2 Do not fashion yourselves to this world, but be chan...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Living Translation (NLT)

A Living Sacrifice to God12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs o...
Read More

Romans 12 - New Life Version (NLV)

12 Christian brothers, I ask you from my heart to give your bodies to God because of His loving-kindness to us. Let your bodies be a living and holy gift given to God. He is pleased with this kind of gift. This is the true worship that you should give Him. 2 Do not act like the sinful people of the...
Read More

Romans 12 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Living Sacrifices to God12 I (A)beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies (B)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And (C)do not be conformed to this world, but (D)be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Read More