when you let it shine
you will inspire
the kind of entire turnaround
that would make a bouncer take ballet
Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good. Instead, as the scripture says: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame."
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes. Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you know more than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them.
When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Have hope and be cheerful. Be patient in trials and pray constantly. Never be lazy, but be diligent. Burn with spirituality. Always slave for the Master. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Is [your gift] telling others how they should live? Then tell them.
Is it giving to those who are in need? Then give freely.
Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it.
Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.
[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving;
he who teaches, to his teaching;
God has given different gifts to each of us because he is so very kind to us. God gives a gift to some people so that they are able to speak his messages. So, those people should believe God when they speak his messages. And they should speak the messages that God has told to them. So collectively we form one body in Christ, while individually we are linked to one another as its members. For, even as in one body we have many members, but the members don’t all have the same function,
But I say to every one of you, through the grace given to me, not to have an over-high opinion of himself, but to have wise thoughts, as God has given to every one a measure of faith. You must not adopt the customs of this world but by your new attitude of mind be transformed so that you can find out what God's will is—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. I entreat you, then, Brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, for this is your rational worship.
-- Romans 12:21 (God's Word to the Nations)
-- 20 (Good News Translation: Today's English Version)
-- 19 (Today's New International Version)
-- 18 (New Century Version)
-- 17 (Christian Standard Bible)
-- 16 (Contemporary English Version)
-- 15 (The Message)
-- 14 (New American Bible)
-- 13 (New Living Translation)
-- 12 (Christian Community Bible)
-- 11 (21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures)
-- 10 (Jerusalem Bible)
-- 9 (The Common Edition: New Testament)
-- 8 (New International Reader's Version)
-- 7 (Amplified Bible)
-- 6 (Easy English Bible)
-- 5 (The New Testament in Modern Speech)
-- 4 (The Sacred Scriptures: The Concordant Version)
-- 3 (The Basic Bible)
-- 2 (An American Translation)
-- 1 (Twentieth Century New Testament)
