Romans 12 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

So here's what I'm asking you to do, brothers and sisters — and I'm appealing to everything God has done for you: offer your whole selves — your actual, physical bodies — as a living and set-apart offering that pleases God. This is what it really looks like to worship him.

Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold. Instead, be completely transformed by letting your mind be made new. Then you'll be able to figure out what God actually wants — what's good, what makes him happy, and what's the complete and right thing to do.

Because of the undeserved kindness given to me, I'm telling every single one of you: don't think more highly of yourself than you should. Instead, think about yourself with clear-headed judgment, based on the measure of trust that God has given each person.

Think of it this way: a body has many parts, and those parts don't all do the same thing.

It's the same with us. Even though there are many of us, together we form one body in the One, and we each belong to one another.

We each have different gifts of undeserved kindness, based on the generous favor given to us. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, use it in proportion to your trust in him.

If it's serving, then serve. If it's teaching, then teach.

If it's encouraging others, then encourage. If it's giving generously, do it with no strings attached. If it's leading, lead with passion. If it's showing compassion, do it with a glad heart.

Love must be the real thing — no faking it. Hate what's destructive. Hold tight to what's good.

Be devoted to each other with the warm affection of a real family. When it comes to showing respect, try to outdo each other.

Don't be lazy about it — stay on fire with passion, serving the Lord.

Let your confidence in what's coming fill you with joy. Stand your ground when things get hard. Never stop talking to God.

Share what you have with God's people who are in need. Go out of your way to welcome strangers into your life.

Ask God to do good things for people who make your life difficult. Ask for good things for them — don't wish harm on them.

Celebrate with people who are celebrating. Grieve with people who are grieving.

Be in harmony with each other. Don't aim for the top — be comfortable with ordinary people and ordinary tasks. Don't assume you've got it all figured out.

Never pay back harm with more harm. Think carefully about doing what everyone can see is right.

As much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Don't take revenge yourselves, dear friends. Instead, leave room for God's justice. After all, it's written: "Getting even is my responsibility. I will settle the score," says the Lord.

Instead, if your enemy is hungry, give them something to eat. If they're thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing this, you'll heap burning coals on their head.

Don't let what's destructive defeat you. Instead, defeat what's destructive by doing good.