³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom^(A) prepared for you since the creation of the world.^{(B) 35} For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,^{(C) 36} I needed clothes and you clothed me,^(D) I was sick and you looked after me,^(E) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’^(F)

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’^(G)

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(A) as faithful^(B) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me^(A) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,^{(B) 5} so in Christ we, though many, form one body,^(C) and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts,^(D) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(E) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^{(F) 7} if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^{(G) 8} if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(H) if it is giving, then give generously;^(I) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere.^(J) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^{(K) 10} Be devoted to one another in love.^(L) Honor one another above yourselves.^{(M) 11} Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(N) serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope,^(O) patient in affliction,^(P) faithful in prayer.^{(Q) 13} Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(R) Practice hospitality.^(S)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(T) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^{(U) 16} Live in harmony with one another.^(V) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.^(W)

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

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

¹⁸ The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”^(A)

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good,^(A) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(B) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(C) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(D) of believers.

²⁵ not giving up meeting together,^(A) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(B)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(C)

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(A) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(B) and to prayer.^{(C) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(D) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(E) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(F) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(G) They broke bread^(H) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(I) And the Lord added to their number^(J) daily those who were being saved.

Love in Action

⁹ 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)