Romans 12 Poetic Paraphrase

LIVING FOR GOD

Romans 12

 

I beg of you, my brothers,

By grace through Jesus Christ,

Present to God your bodies,

A living sacrifice,

A reasonable service

And pleasing unto God;

Reject the world’s perspective

That views your faith as odd.

 

Instead of worldly thinking,

Let God renew your mind,

Conform it to the purpose

His perfect will designed.

Don’t think of self more highly

Than what you really should,

But using sober judgment,

Acknowledge what is good.

 

Just as the human being

Has parts that are distinct, 

In Christ we are one body

With all the members linked.

We each have gifts that differ,

But all partake of grace.

Some prophecy with wisdom

In their God-given place.

 

In service or in teaching,

Some give and some exhort.

Let each one do it simply,

In faith and good report.

Let those whose gift is leading

Be fervently employed,

And those who offer mercy

In hope be overjoyed.

 

Let love not be pretended,

Abhor each evil thing,

But what is good and righteous,

To that in earnest cling.

Be kind to those around you,

And love to the extreme,

Outdoing one another

In giving of esteem.

 

Don’t let your zeal be lagging,

But let your spirits burn,

And serve the Lord with fervor

However fortunes turn.

In hope keep on rejoicing,

Be patient in your cares,

Through every tribulation,

Be diligent in prayers. 

 

When needy saints have troubles,

Contribute generously.

With open arms and houses

Show hospitality.

On those who try to harm you,

A blessing you should heap,

Rejoice with those rejoicing,

And weep with those who weep.

 

Seek unity together

In everything you do,

Not only with the mighty,

But with the lowly too.

Don’t trust in your own wisdom,

When wronged, don’t pay it back,

But do what’s good and noble,

Stay on the honest track.

 

Let people see your courage,

And live with them in peace.

As far as you are able,

Let harmony increase.

Don’t give yourself to vengeance,

For that belongs to God.

He says that He’ll repay it,

When something needs His rod.

 

So if your foe is hungry,

Don’t worry, give him bread,

And give him drink when thirsty---

It’s coals upon his head.

The evil that surrounds us

May tempt you to submit,

Don’t let it overcome you,

You have to conquer it.

Nita Brainard