Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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Life in God's Service
1 So then, my brothers, because
of God's great mercy to
us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves
as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated
to his service and pleasing to
him. This is the true worship that
you should offer.
2 Do not conform
yourselves to the standards of this
world, but let God transform you inwardly
by a complete change
of your mind. Then you will be able
to know the will of God—what is
good and is pleasing to him and is
perfect.
3 And because of God's gracious
gift to me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly
than you should. Instead, be modest
in your thinking, and judge yourself
according to the amount of faith that
God has given you.
4 We have many
parts in the one body, and all these
parts have different functions.
5 In
the same way, though we are many,
we are one body in union with
Christ, and we are all joined to each
other as different parts of one body. note
6 So we are to use our different gifts
in accordance with the grace that
God has given us. If our gift is to
speak God's message, we should
do it according to the faith that
we have;
7 if it is to serve, we should
serve; if it is to teach, we should
teach;
8 if it is to encourage others,
we should do so. Whoever shares
with others should do it generously;
whoever has authority should work
hard; whoever shows kindness to
others should do it cheerfully. note
9 Love must be completely sincere.
Hate what is evil, hold on to
what is good.
10 Love one another
warmly as Christian brothers, and
be eager to show respect for one another.
11 Work hard and do not be
lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full
of devotion.
12 Let your hope keep
you joyful, be patient in your troubles,
and pray at all times.
13 Share
your belongings with your needy
fellow Christians, and open your
homes to strangers.
14 Ask God to bless those who persecute
you—yes, ask him to bless,
not to curse. note
15 Be happy with those
who are happy, weep with those
who weep. note
16 Have the same concern
for everyone. Do not be proud, but
accept humble duties. noteDo not think
of yourselves as wise. note
17 If someone has done you wrong,
do not repay him with a wrong. Try
to do what everyone considers to be
good.
18 Do everything possible on
your part to live in peace with everybody.
19 Never take revenge, my
friends, but instead let God's anger
do it. For the scripture says, “I will
take revenge, I will pay back, says
the Lord.” note
20 Instead, as the scripture
says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for by doing this you will make him
burn with shame.” note
21 Do not let evil
defeat you; instead, conquer evil
with good.
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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