Book of Common Prayer
The sweet living, love, and works of the people who believe in Christ.
12 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercifulness of God, to make your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable serving of God. 2 Do not fashion yourselves to this world, but be changed in your nature by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good, that favourable, and perfect will of God.
3 For I say by the grace that is given to me, to everyone among you, that no one should think of himself more than it behoves him to think, but should soberly judge of himself, as God has given to each the measure of faith. 4 Just as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same service, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone among us one another’s members. 6 Seeing that we have different gifts, according to the grace that is given to us, if one has the gift of prophecy, let him have it agreeing to the faith. 7 Let him who has an office attend to his duty. Let him who teaches take heed to his doctrine. 8 Let him who exhorts give heed to his exhortation. If anyone gives, let him do it with sincerity. Let him who governs do it with diligence. If anyone shows mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissembling. Hate that which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good. 10 Be kind to one another, with brotherly love. Honour others before yourselves. 11 Let not the work that you have in hand be tedious to you. Be fervent in the Spirit. Apply yourselves to the time. 12 Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Continue in prayer. 13 Give to meet the needs of the saints, and be ready to take people in.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, but curse not. 15 Be merry with those who are merry. Weep with those who weep. 16 Be of equal affection one towards another. Be not high-minded, but make yourselves equal to the lowly. Do not be wise in your own opinions. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide beforehand for things that are honourable in the sight of all people. 18 If it is possible, as for your part, have peace with all people.
19 Dearly beloveds, do not avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written: Vengeance is mine, and I will reward, says the Lord. 20 Therefore: If your enemy hungers, feed him, and if he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing, you will heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with goodness.
46 Which of you can rebuke me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words. You therefore do not hear them, because you are not of God.
48 Then the Jews answered and said to him, Are we not right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have no devil. But I honour my Father, and you have dishonoured me. 50 I do not seek my own glory, but there is one who seeks and judges. 51 Truly truly I say to you, if a person keeps my sayings, he shall never see death.
52 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and also the prophets, and yet you say, If anyone keeps my sayings, he will never taste of death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do you make yourself out to be?
54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is of no value. It is my Father who honours me, whom you say is your God, 55 and yet you have not known him. But I know him. And if I said I did not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham was glad to see my day, and he saw it and rejoiced.
57 Then the Jews said to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said to them, Truly truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then they took up stones to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.