Chapter 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;  

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  and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect.  

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  For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,  

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  for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,  

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  so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.  

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  And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- 'According to the proportion of faith!'  

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  or ministration -- 'In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- 'In the teaching!'  

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  or he who is exhorting -- 'In the exhortation!' he who is sharing -- 'In simplicity!' he who is leading -- 'In diligence?' he who is doing kindness -- 'In cheerfulness.'  

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  The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;  

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  in the love of brethren, to one another kindly affectioned: in the honour going before one another;  

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  in the diligence not slothful; in the spirit fervent; the Lord serving;  

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  in the hope rejoicing; in the tribulation enduring; in the prayer persevering;  

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  to the necessities of the saints communicating; the hospitality pursuing.  

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  Bless those persecuting you; bless, and curse not;  

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  to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping,  

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  of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit;  

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  giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.  

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  If possible -- so far as in you -- with all men being in peace;  

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  not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, 'Vengeance [is] Mine,  

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  I will recompense again, saith the Lord;' if, then, thine enemy doth hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head;  

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  Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil.  

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