⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection,^[e] and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”^[g]
    says the Lord.

²⁰ Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”^[h]

²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Dear God, I just wanted to stop before I get this day going and tell you that I need you. I thank you. I thank you for, well, everything. You are a good God. Oh so good. And I’m reminded of this through this passage. What a weird perspective of life Jesus authored for us as Christians. Everything here turns the world on its head. What would it look like if we really did this?

Father, help me to do this today. Maybe I should read this every day. If my enemies are hunger feed them? Okay. Wait for you to avenge me if there is something to avenge? Okay. Pray that you will bless those who persecute me? Okay. I will.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen