(A)Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if (B)prophecy, (C)in proportion to our faith; if (D)service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; (E)the one who leads,[a] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with (F)cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

(G)Let love be genuine. (H)Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 (I)Love one another with brotherly affection. (J)Outdo one another in showing honor.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:8 Or gives aid

We have different gifts,(A) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(B) then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;(C) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(D) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(E) if it is giving, then give generously;(F) if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(G) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(H) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(I) Honor one another above yourselves.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:6 Or the
  2. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others

though if I should wish to boast, (A)I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So (B)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] (C)a thorn was given me in the flesh, (D)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (E)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, (F)“My grace is sufficient for you, for (G)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that (H)the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 (I)For the sake of Christ, then, (J)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For (K)when I am weak, then I am strong.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited

Even if I should choose to boast,(A) I would not be a fool,(B) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(C) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(D) a messenger of Satan,(E) to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(F) But he said to me, “My grace(G) is sufficient for you, for my power(H) is made perfect in weakness.(I)(J) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(K) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(L) in persecutions,(M) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(N)

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