²⁷ So God created man ^(A)in His own image; in the image of God He created him; ^(B)male and female He created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ^(C)“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and ^(D)subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that ^[a]moves on the earth.”

⁵ so ^(A)we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is ^(B)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us ^(C)prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; ^(D)he who teaches, in teaching; ^8 (E)he who exhorts, in exhortation; ^(F)he who gives, with liberality; ^(G)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, ^(H)with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

^9 (I)Let love be without hypocrisy. ^(J)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ^10 (K)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ^(L)in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ^12 (M)rejoicing in hope, ^(N)patient^[a] in tribulation, ^(O)continuing steadfastly in prayer; ^13 (P)distributing to the needs of the saints, ^(Q)given^[b] to hospitality.

^14 (R)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ^15 (S)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ^16 (T)Be of the same mind toward one another. ^(U)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

^17 (V)Repay no one evil for evil. ^(W)Have^[c] regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, ^(X)live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(Y)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ^(Z)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.