A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(A) were far away have been brought near^(B) by the blood of Christ.^(C)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(D) who has made the two groups one^(E) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(A) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(B) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(C) nor is there male and female,^(D) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^(E)

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(B) gentleness and patience.^{(C) 13} Bear with each other^(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(E) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(G)

¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(A) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(B) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(C)—that you may be filled^(D) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(E)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(F) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(G) or imagine, according to his power^(H) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(I)