[a](A)Love must be free of hypocrisy. (B)Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be (C)devoted to one another in brotherly love; [b]give preference to one another (D)in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, (E)fervent in spirit, (F)serving the Lord; 12 (G)rejoicing in hope, (H)persevering in tribulation, (I)devoted to prayer, 13 (J)contributing to the needs of the [c]saints, [d](K)practicing hospitality.

14 (L)Bless those who persecute [e]you; bless and do not curse. 15 (M)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (N)Be of the same mind toward one another; (O)do not be [f]haughty in mind, but [g]associate with the lowly. (P)Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 (Q)Never repay evil for evil to anyone. [h](R)Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, (S)so far as it depends on you, (T)be at peace with all people. 19 (U)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [i]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “(V)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 (W)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 [j](X)person is to be (Y)subject to the governing authorities. For (Z)there is no authority except [k]from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore [l]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For (AA)rulers are not a cause of fear for [m]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; 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 (AB)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:9 Or Love has no
  2. Romans 12:10 Or outdo one another in showing honor
  3. Romans 12:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  4. Romans 12:13 Lit pursuing
  5. Romans 12:14 Two early mss do not contain you
  6. Romans 12:16 Or arrogant
  7. Romans 12:16 Or accommodate yourself to lowly things
  8. Romans 12:17 Lit Take thought for
  9. Romans 12:19 Lit give a place
  10. Romans 13:1 Or soul
  11. Romans 13:1 Lit by
  12. Romans 13:2 Lit the one who
  13. Romans 13:3 Lit good work

Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(B) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(C) Honor one another above yourselves.(D) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(E) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(F) patient in affliction,(G) faithful in prayer.(H) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(I) Practice hospitality.(J)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(K) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(L) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(N)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(P) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Q) 19 Do not take revenge,(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](S) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](T)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,(U) for there is no authority except that which God has established.(V) The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(W) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(X) For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22