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12 I appeal to you, therefore, Achim b’Moshiach, through the rachamei Hashem (mercies of G-d), to present your geviyah (BERESHIS 47:18), all of your being as a korban chai (living sacrifice), kadosh (holy) and acceptable to Hashem (BERESHIS 8:21), which is your spiritual avodas kodesh service.

Stop allowing yourself to be conformed to the Olam Hazeh, but be transformed by your hitkhadshut (regeneration, renewal) of your mind, so that you may ascertain what is the ratzon Hashem (the will of G-d), what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of G-d.

For I say to all who are among you through the chesed (unmerited favor, grace) given to me, that you should avoid a false sense of superiority in your thinking; rather exercise shlitah atzmi (self-control), thinking with seichel, as G-d has measured to each a measure of emunah.

For just as in one body we have many members (natural capacities), and all the members do not have the same function,

So we all are one body in Moshiach, and are individually members one of another

Having matanot (gifts) which differ in accordance with the chesed (unmerited favor, grace) given to us. If we speak for G-d as nevi’im (prophets), it should be in proportion to the emunah given to us.

If we offer particular acts of avodas kodesh service, it should be used in serving. One who functions as a rabbinic moreh should be active in teaching.

One who imparts chizzuk (strengthening, encouragement) should be active in that avodas kodesh ministry. One who makes tzedakah (contributions) should do so with nedivut (generosity). The one in manhigut (leadership), with diligence. The one in bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) and gemilut chasadim (benevolence), with simcha.

Let ahavah (agape) be without tzevi’ut (hypocrisy). Hate what is haRah, be devoted to what is tov.

10 Show mishpochah (family) affection to one another in ahavah shel achvah (brotherly love). Be first in esteeming one another, in showing mutual respect.

11 Be zealous without negligence; with bren (fervor, hitlahavut) be burning with the Ruach Hakodesh. With avodas kodesh serve Hashem.

12 Have simcha in tikvah. Have zitzfleisch in tzoros. Keep davening tefillos.

13 With a spirit of koinonia, keep the pushke full for the needs of the Kadoshim. Aspire to hachnosas orchim.

14 Say a bracha on those who bring redifah (persecution) on you, let it be a bracha and not a kelalah (curse).

15 Join in simcha with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16 Think with a (spiritual) consensus in achdus harmony among yourselves. Do not cherish the thoughts of the ba’al gaavah (haughty person), but associate with the anavim ("humble," YESHAYAH 29:19), with the lowly am ha’aretz; do not be chachamim (wise ones) in your own estimation [1:22].

17 Repay no one ra’a (evil) for ra’a (evil). Take into consideration what is haTov in the sight of everyone and do that. [MISHLE 3:4 TARGUM HASHIVIM]

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with everyone.

19 Do not take your own revenge, beloved, but give opportunity for G-d’s Charon Af (burning wrath), for it is written, LI NAKAM V’SHILEM ("Vengeance is mine and recompense, repayment‖I am He who will repay, says Hashem" DEVARIM 32:35).

20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head" MISHLE 25:21-22.

21 Do not be overcome by what is ra’a, but overcome haRah with haTov.

A Living and Holy Sacrifice

12 Therefore (A)I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to (B)present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your [a]spiritual service of worship. And do not (C)be conformed to (D)this [b]world, but be transformed by the (E)renewing of your mind, so that you may (F)approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and [c]perfect.

For through (G)the grace given to me I say to each one among you (H)not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to (I)each a measure of faith. For (J)just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, (K)who are many, are (L)one body in Christ, and individually members one of another, but having gifts that (M)differ according to the grace given to us: whether (N)prophecy, [d]in agreement with the faith; or [e](O)service, in his serving; or he who (P)teaches, in his teaching; or he who (Q)exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [f](R)generosity; (S)he who [g]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with (T)cheerfulness.

Let (U)love be without hypocrisy—by (V)abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being (W)devoted to one another in brotherly love, [h]giving preference to one another (X)in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being (Y)fervent in spirit, (Z)serving the Lord, 12 (AA)rejoicing in hope, (AB)persevering in affliction, being (AC)devoted to prayer, 13 (AD)contributing to the needs of the [i]saints, (AE)pursuing hospitality.

14 (AF)Bless those who persecute [j]you; bless, and do not curse. 15 (AG)Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16 by (AH)being of the same mind toward one another, (AI)not being haughty in mind, but [k]associating with the humble. (AJ)Do not be wise in your own mind. 17 (AK)Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, [l](AL)respecting what is good in the sight of all men, 18 if possible, (AM)so far as it depends on you, (AN)being at peace with all men, 19 (AO)never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead [m]leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “(AP)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 (AQ)But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:1 Or rational
  2. Romans 12:2 Or age
  3. Romans 12:2 Or complete
  4. Romans 12:6 Or according to the proportion of his faith
  5. Romans 12:7 Or office of service
  6. Romans 12:8 Or simplicity; without false motives
  7. Romans 12:8 Or gives aid
  8. Romans 12:10 Or outdo one another in showing honor
  9. Romans 12:13 Or holy ones
  10. Romans 12:14 Two early mss omit you
  11. Romans 12:16 Or accommodate yourself to lowly things
  12. Romans 12:17 Lit take thought for
  13. Romans 12:19 Lit give a place