Romans 12:8-18

Contemporary English Version

⁸ If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

Rules for Christian Living

⁹ Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. ¹⁰ Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. ¹¹ Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. ¹² Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. ¹³ Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

^14 (A) Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. ^15 (B) When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. ^16 (C) Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you know more than others. Make friends with ordinary people.^{[a] 17} Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, ¹⁸ and do your best to live at peace with everyone.