World English Bible · Under Rome
Romans 12
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Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the of , to present your bodies a living , , acceptable to , which is your spiritual . Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of , so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of . For I say through the 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 has apportioned to each person a measure of . For even as we have many members in , and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are in Christ, and individually members of one another, having gifts differing according to the that was given to us: if , let's according to the proportion of our ; or , let's give ourselves to ; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 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. Let love be without . Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in prefer one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in , , rejoicing in , enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in , contributing to the needs of , and given to hospitality. those who persecute you; , and don't . Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same one toward another. Don't set on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be in your own conceits. no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don't seek yourselves, beloved, but give place to . For , " belongs to me; I will , ." 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 on his head." Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.