Christian Ethics

Love must be without hypocrisy.(A) Detest evil;(B) cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love.(C) Outdo one another in showing honor.(D) 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit;(E) serve the Lord.(F) 12 Rejoice in hope;(G) be patient in affliction;(H) be persistent in prayer.(I) 13 Share with the saints in their needs;(J) pursue hospitality.(K) 14 Bless those who persecute you;(L) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;(M) weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another.(N) Do not be proud;(O) instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.(P) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(Q) Try to do what is honorable(R) in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.(S) 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His[a] wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,(T)[b] says the Lord. 20 But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.(U)
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.(V)[c]

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

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Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(B) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(C) Honor one another above yourselves.(D) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(E) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(F) patient in affliction,(G) faithful in prayer.(H) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(I) Practice hospitality.(J)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(K) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(L) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(N)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(P) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Q) 19 Do not take revenge,(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](S) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](T)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22