Romans · Bible in Basic English
Romans 12 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 For this reason I make request to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you will give your bodies as a living offering, holy, pleasing to God, which is the worship it is right for you to give him.
1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
2 And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.
2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3 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.
3 For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
4 For, as we have a number of parts in one body, but all the parts have not the same use,
4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,
5 So we, though we are a number of persons, are one body in Christ, and are dependent on one another;
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,
6 And having different qualities by reason of the grace given to us, such as the quality of a prophet, let it be made use of in relation to the measure of our faith;
6 having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
7 Or the position of a Deacon of the church, let a man give himself to it; or he who has the power of teaching, let him make use of it;
7 or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
8 He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious mind; he who has mercy on others, let it be with joy.
8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without deceit. Be haters of what is evil; keep your minds fixed on what is good.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
10 Be kind to one another with a brother's love, putting others before yourselves in honour;
10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another,
11 Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,
12 Being glad in hope, quiet in trouble, at all times given to prayer,
12 rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,
13 Giving to the needs of the saints, ready to take people into your houses.
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.
14 Give blessing and not curses to those who are cruel to you.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
15 Take part in the joy of those who are glad, and in the grief of those who are sorrowing.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
16 Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
17 Do not give evil for evil to any man. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
18 As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
19 Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.
19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head.
20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.
21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Cross references (21)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Peter 2:5; Romans 6:13; Romans 6:19; Hebrews 13:15–16; Ephesians 4:1
- 2 1 Peter 1:14; Ephesians 4:22–24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 2:15–17
- 3 Galatians 6:3; Philippians 2:3–8; Proverbs 26:12; 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 12:16
- 4 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Ephesians 4:15–16; 1 Corinthians 12:4; Ephesians 4:4
- 5 1 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Corinthians 12:27–28; Ephesians 4:25; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 5:30
- 6 1 Peter 4:10–11; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28–31; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Romans 12:3
- 7 Acts 13:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 5:17; Ephesians 4:11; Psalm 34:11
- 8 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 3:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 15:32
- 9 Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 John 3:18–20; 1 Peter 3:10–11
- 10 Philippians 2:3; John 13:34–35; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 3:8–9
- 11 Hebrews 6:10–11; Acts 18:25; Revelation 3:15–16; Proverbs 13:4; Colossians 3:22–24
- 12 Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:36; Psalm 62:8; Romans 5:2–4; Philippians 4:6–7
- 13 Hebrews 13:16; 2 Corinthians 9:12; 1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 6:10
- 14 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 4:12–13; Romans 12:21
- 15 1 Corinthians 12:26; Hebrews 13:3; Psalm 35:13–14; John 11:33–36; Job 30:25
- 16 1 Peter 3:8; Proverbs 3:7; James 3:13–17; Philippians 2:2–3; Romans 12:3
- 17 Proverbs 20:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:39; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
- 18 Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 5:9; Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; James 3:16–18
- 19 Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30; Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:17
- 20 Proverbs 25:21–22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27; Exodus 23:4–5; 2 Kings 6:22
- 21 1 Peter 3:9; Luke 6:27–30; Proverbs 16:32
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
After discoursing at large upon the love of God toward man, and pointing out His unspeakable concern for us, and unutterable goodness, which cannot even be searched into, he next puts it forward with a view of persuading those who have received the benefit to exhibit a conversation worthy of the gift.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that "we are members one of another?" Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "Woe to that man [by whom offences come]!
… pride, nor should we tempt God, but should feel humility in all things, and have ready to hand [this saying], "Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." As also the apostle taught, saying, "Minding not high things, but consenting to things of low estate;" that we should neither be ensnared with riches, nor mundane glory, nor present fancy, but …
… this custom had it been forbidden by another whom she loved not as Ambrose, whom, out of regard for my salvation, she loved most dearly; and he loved her truly, on account of her most religious conversation, whereby, in good works so "fervent in spirit," she frequented the church; so that he would often, when he saw me, burst forth …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
When we do so as avenging ourselves: which Paul also forbidding, said "Avenge not yourselves, dearly beloved, but rather give place unto wrath." When we are contending for riches: yea, for this hath he also taken away, where he saith, "Why do ye not rather take wrong?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)