Lessons of Christian virtues.
12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your
reasonable service.
12:2. And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the
newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the
acceptable and the perfect will of God.
12:3. For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among
you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise
unto sobriety and according as God hath divided to every one the
measure of faith.
12:4. For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have
not the same office:
12:5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one members
one of another:
12:6. And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given
us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;
12:7. Or ministry, in ministering; or he that teacheth, in doctrine;
12:8. He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness.
12:9. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil,
cleaving to that which is good,
12:10. Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour
preventing one another.
12:11. In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the
Lord.
12:12. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer.
12:13. Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing
hospitality.
12:14. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.
12:15. Rejoice with them that rejoice: weep with them that weep.
12:16. Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things,
but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.
12:17. To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not
only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men.
12:18. If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all
men.
12:19. Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto
wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the
Lord.
12:20. But if the enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give
him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head.
12:21. Be not overcome by evil: but overcome evil by good.