Romans 12-13
New American Standard Bible
Dedicated Service
12 Therefore (A)I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to (B)present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not (C)be conformed to (D)this [c]world, but be transformed by the (E)renewing of your mind, so that you may [d](F)prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.
3 For through (G)the grace given to me I say to everyone among you (H)not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to (I)each a measure of faith. 4 For (J)just as we have many parts in one body and all [f]the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, (K)who are many, are (L)one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6 However, since we have gifts that (M)differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if (N)prophecy, [g]in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if [h](O)service, in the act of serving; or the one who (P)teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who [i](Q)exhorts, in the work of [j]exhortation; the one who gives, with [k](R)generosity; (S)the one who [l]is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with (T)cheerfulness.
9 [m](U)Love must be free of hypocrisy. (V)Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be (W)devoted to one another in brotherly love; [n]give preference to one another (X)in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, (Y)fervent in spirit, (Z)serving the Lord; 12 (AA)rejoicing in hope, (AB)persevering in tribulation, (AC)devoted to prayer, 13 (AD)contributing to the needs of the [o]saints, [p](AE)practicing hospitality.
14 (AF)Bless those who persecute [q]you; bless and do not curse. 15 (AG)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (AH)Be of the same mind toward one another; (AI)do not be [r]haughty in mind, but [s]associate with the lowly. (AJ)Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 (AK)Never repay evil for evil to anyone. [t](AL)Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, (AM)so far as it depends on you, (AN)be at peace with all people. 19 (AO)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [u]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; 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.
Be Subject to Government
13 Every [v](AR)person is to be (AS)subject to the governing authorities. For (AT)there is no authority except [w]from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore [x]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For (AU)rulers are not a cause of fear for [y]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an (AV)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also (AW)for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 (AX)Pay to all what is due them: (AY)tax to whom tax is due; (AZ)custom to whom custom; [z]respect to whom [aa]respect; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (BA)the one who loves [ab]his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, “(BB)You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “(BC)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love [ac]does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore (BD)love is the fulfillment of the Law.
11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is (BE)already the hour for you to (BF)awaken from sleep; for now [ad]salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 (BG)The night is almost gone, and (BH)the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of (BI)the deeds of darkness and put on (BJ)the armor of light. 13 Let’s [ae](BK)behave properly as in the day, (BL)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But (BM)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (BN)in regard to its lusts.
Footnotes
- Romans 12:1 Or pleasing
- Romans 12:1 I.e., in contrast to offering a literal sacrifice
- Romans 12:2 Or age
- Romans 12:2 Or discover
- Romans 12:2 Or pleasing
- Romans 12:4 Lit the parts
- Romans 12:6 Or in agreement with the faith
- Romans 12:7 Or office of service
- Romans 12:8 Or encourages
- Romans 12:8 Or encouragement
- Romans 12:8 Or sincere concern
- Romans 12:8 Or provides care
- Romans 12:9 Or Love has no
- Romans 12:10 Or outdo one another in showing honor
- Romans 12:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Romans 12:13 Lit pursuing
- Romans 12:14 Two early mss do not contain you
- Romans 12:16 Or arrogant
- Romans 12:16 Or accommodate yourself to lowly things
- Romans 12:17 Lit Take thought for
- Romans 12:19 Lit give a place
- Romans 13:1 Or soul
- Romans 13:1 Lit by
- Romans 13:2 Lit the one who
- Romans 13:3 Lit good work
- Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
- Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
- Romans 13:8 Lit the other
- Romans 13:10 Lit works no evil
- Romans 13:11 Or our salvation is nearer than when
- Romans 13:13 Lit walk
Romans 12-13
King James Version
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 12-13
New King James Version
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I (A)beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies (B)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And (C)do not be conformed to this world, but (D)be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may (E)prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
3 For I say, (F)through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, (G)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt (H)to each one a measure of faith. 4 For (I)as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so (J)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 (K)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us (L)prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; (M)he who teaches, in teaching; 8 (N)he who exhorts, in exhortation; (O)he who gives, with liberality; (P)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, (Q)with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 (R)Let love be without hypocrisy. (S)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 (T)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, (U)in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 (V)rejoicing in hope, (W)patient[c] in tribulation, (X)continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 (Y)distributing to the needs of the saints, (Z)given[d] to hospitality.
14 (AA)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 (AB)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (AC)Be of the same mind toward one another. (AD)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 (AE)Repay no one evil for evil. (AF)Have[e] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, (AG)live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, (AH)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, (AI)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
(AJ)“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but (AK)overcome evil with good.
Submit to Government
13 Let every soul be (AL)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists (AM)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [f]bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? (AN)Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore (AO)you must be subject, not only because of wrath (AP)but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 (AQ)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Love Your Neighbor(AR)
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for (AS)he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, (AT)“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” [g]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, (AU)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore (AV)love is the fulfillment of the law.
Put on Christ
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time (AW)to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. (AX)Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and (AY)let us put on the armor of light. 13 (AZ)Let us walk [h]properly, as in the day, (BA)not in revelry and drunkenness, (BB)not in lewdness and lust, (BC)not in strife and envy. 14 But (BD)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and (BE)make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Footnotes
- Romans 12:1 urge
- Romans 12:1 rational
- Romans 12:12 persevering
- Romans 12:13 Lit. pursuing
- Romans 12:17 Or Provide good
- Romans 13:2 Lit. receive
- Romans 13:9 NU omits “You shall not bear false witness,”
- Romans 13:13 decently
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
