Corinthians
I CORINTHIANS, 9
Spiritual Good
9.1 Am I not free ? am I not an Apostle ? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are you not my work in the Lord ? 2 If to others I am not an Apostle, at least I am one to you :
for the fact that you are Christians is the sign that I am an Apostle.
9:3 My answer to those who are judging me is this. 4 Have we no right to take food and drink ? 5 Have we no right to take about with us a Christian wife, like the rest of the Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas ? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have we no right to take a rest from work ? 7 Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment ? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them ? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk ?
9:8 Am I talking as a man? does not the law say the same ? 9 For it says in the law of Moses, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. Is it for the oxen that God is giving orders ? 10 Or has he us in mind ? Yes, it was said for us ; because it is right for the ploughman to do his ploughing in hope, and for him who is crushing the grain to do his work hoping for a part in the fruits of it. 11 If we have been planting the things of the Spirit for you, does it seem a great thing for you to give us a part in your things of this world ? 12 If others have a part in this right over you, have we not even more ? But we did not make use of our right, so that we might put nothing in the way of the good news of Christ. 13 Do you not see that the servants of the holy things get their living from the Temple, and the servants of the altar have their part in the food which is offered on the altar ? 14 Even so did the Lord give orders that the preachers of the good news might get their living from the good news.
9:15 But I have not made use of any of these things : and I am not writing this in the hope that it may be so for me : for it would be better for me to undergo death, than for any man to make this pride of mine of no effect. 16 For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this ; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not. 17 But if I do it gladly, I have a reward ; and if not, I am under orders to do it. 18 What then is my reward ? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.
9:19 For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation. 20 And to the Jews I was as a Jew, so that I might give the good news to them ; to those under the law I was the same, not as being myself under the law, but so that I might give the good news to those under the law. 21 To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law. 22 To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation : I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation. 23 And I do all things for the cause of the good news, so that I may have a part in it.
9:24 Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward ? So let your minds be fixed on the reward. 25 And every man who takes part in the sports has self-control in all things. Now they do it to get a crown which is of this world, but we for an eternal crown. 26 So then I am running, not uncertainly ; so I am fighting, not as one who gives blows in the air : 27 But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.
9:3 My answer to those who are judging me is this. 4 Have we no right to take food and drink ? 5 Have we no right to take about with us a Christian wife, like the rest of the Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas ? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have we no right to take a rest from work ? 7 Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment ? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them ? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk ?
9:8 Am I talking as a man? does not the law say the same ? 9 For it says in the law of Moses, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. Is it for the oxen that God is giving orders ? 10 Or has he us in mind ? Yes, it was said for us ; because it is right for the ploughman to do his ploughing in hope, and for him who is crushing the grain to do his work hoping for a part in the fruits of it. 11 If we have been planting the things of the Spirit for you, does it seem a great thing for you to give us a part in your things of this world ? 12 If others have a part in this right over you, have we not even more ? But we did not make use of our right, so that we might put nothing in the way of the good news of Christ. 13 Do you not see that the servants of the holy things get their living from the Temple, and the servants of the altar have their part in the food which is offered on the altar ? 14 Even so did the Lord give orders that the preachers of the good news might get their living from the good news.
9:15 But I have not made use of any of these things : and I am not writing this in the hope that it may be so for me : for it would be better for me to undergo death, than for any man to make this pride of mine of no effect. 16 For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this ; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not. 17 But if I do it gladly, I have a reward ; and if not, I am under orders to do it. 18 What then is my reward ? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.
9:19 For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation. 20 And to the Jews I was as a Jew, so that I might give the good news to them ; to those under the law I was the same, not as being myself under the law, but so that I might give the good news to those under the law. 21 To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law. 22 To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation : I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation. 23 And I do all things for the cause of the good news, so that I may have a part in it.
9:24 Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward ? So let your minds be fixed on the reward. 25 And every man who takes part in the sports has self-control in all things. Now they do it to get a crown which is of this world, but we for an eternal crown. 26 So then I am running, not uncertainly ; so I am fighting, not as one who gives blows in the air : 27 But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.
I CORINTHIANS, 10
Shun evil and idols
10.1. For it is my desire, my brothers, that you may keep
in mind how all our fathers were under the cloud, and they all went
through the sea ; 2 And they all had baptism from Moses in the cloud and in the sea ; 3 And they all took the same holy food ; 4 And the same holy drink : for they all took of the water from the holy rock which came after them : and the rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not pleased : for they came to their end in the waste land.
10:6 Now these things were for an example to us, so that our hearts might not go after evil things, as they did. 7 Then do not go after false gods, as some of them did ; as it is said in the holy Writings, After resting and feasting, the people got up to take their pleasure. 8 Again, let us not give way to the desires of the flesh, as some of them did, of whom twenty-three thousand came to their end in one day. 9 And let us not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and came to their death by snakes. 10 And do not say evil things against the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them. 11 Now these things were done as an example ; and were put down in writing for our teaching, on whom the last days have come. 12 So let him who seems to himself to be safe go in fear of a fall. 13 You have been put to no test but such as is common to man : and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo ; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it.
10:14 For this cause, my dear brothers, give no worship to false gods. 15 What I am saying is for wise men, do you be the judges of it. 16 The cup of blessing which we take, does it not give us a part in the blood of Christ ? and is not the broken bread a taking part in the body of Christ ? 17 Because we, being a number of persons, are one bread, we are one body : for we all take part in the one bread. 18 See Israel after the flesh : do not those who take as food the offerings of the altar take a part in the altar ? 19 Do I say, then, that what is offered to images is anything, or that the image is anything ? 20 What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to evil spirits and not to God ; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with evil spirits. 21 It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits ; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits. 22 Or may we be the cause of envy to the Lord ? are we stronger than he?
10:23 We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good. 24 Let a man give attention not only to what is good for himself, but equally to his neighbour's good. 25 Whatever meat may be had at the public market, take as food without question of right or wrong ; 26 For the earth is the Lord's and all things in it. 27 If a Gentile makes a feast for you, and you are pleased to go as a guest, take whatever is put before you, without question of right or wrong. 28 But if anyone says to you, This food has been used as an offering, do not take it, on account of him who said it, and on account of his sense of right and wrong : 29 Right and wrong, I say, not for you, but for the other man ; for the fact that I am free is not dependent on another man's sense of right or wrong. 30 But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason.
10:31 So then, if it is a question of food or drink, or any other thing, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason. Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God. 33 Even as I give way to all men in all things, not looking for profit for myself, but for the good of others, that they may get salvation.
10:6 Now these things were for an example to us, so that our hearts might not go after evil things, as they did. 7 Then do not go after false gods, as some of them did ; as it is said in the holy Writings, After resting and feasting, the people got up to take their pleasure. 8 Again, let us not give way to the desires of the flesh, as some of them did, of whom twenty-three thousand came to their end in one day. 9 And let us not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and came to their death by snakes. 10 And do not say evil things against the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them. 11 Now these things were done as an example ; and were put down in writing for our teaching, on whom the last days have come. 12 So let him who seems to himself to be safe go in fear of a fall. 13 You have been put to no test but such as is common to man : and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo ; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it.
10:14 For this cause, my dear brothers, give no worship to false gods. 15 What I am saying is for wise men, do you be the judges of it. 16 The cup of blessing which we take, does it not give us a part in the blood of Christ ? and is not the broken bread a taking part in the body of Christ ? 17 Because we, being a number of persons, are one bread, we are one body : for we all take part in the one bread. 18 See Israel after the flesh : do not those who take as food the offerings of the altar take a part in the altar ? 19 Do I say, then, that what is offered to images is anything, or that the image is anything ? 20 What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to evil spirits and not to God ; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with evil spirits. 21 It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits ; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits. 22 Or may we be the cause of envy to the Lord ? are we stronger than he?
10:23 We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good. 24 Let a man give attention not only to what is good for himself, but equally to his neighbour's good. 25 Whatever meat may be had at the public market, take as food without question of right or wrong ; 26 For the earth is the Lord's and all things in it. 27 If a Gentile makes a feast for you, and you are pleased to go as a guest, take whatever is put before you, without question of right or wrong. 28 But if anyone says to you, This food has been used as an offering, do not take it, on account of him who said it, and on account of his sense of right and wrong : 29 Right and wrong, I say, not for you, but for the other man ; for the fact that I am free is not dependent on another man's sense of right or wrong. 30 But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason.
10:31 So then, if it is a question of food or drink, or any other thing, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason. Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God. 33 Even as I give way to all men in all things, not looking for profit for myself, but for the good of others, that they may get salvation.
I CORINTHIANS, 11
Instructions on Worship
11.1. So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine.
11:2 Now I am pleased to see that you keep me in memory in all things, and that you give attention to the teaching which was handed down from me to you. 3 But it is important for you to keep this fact in mind, that the head of every man is Christ ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head. 5 But every woman who does so with her head unveiled, puts shame on her head : for it is the same as if her hair was cut off. 6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her hair be cut off ; but if it is a shame to a woman to have her hair cut off, let her be veiled. For if a woman is not veiled, let her hair be cut off ; but if it is a shame to a woman to have her hair cut off, let her be veiled. 7 For it is not right for a man to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God : but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man did not come from the woman, but the woman from the man. 9 And the man was not made for the woman, but the woman for the man. 10 For this reason it is right for the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 But the woman is not separate from the man, and the man is not separate from the woman in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is from the man, so the man is through the woman ; but all things are from God. 13 Be judges yourselves of the question : does it seem right for a woman to take part in prayer unveiled ? 14 Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him ? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her : for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if any man will not be ruled in this question, this is not our way of doing things, and it is not done in the churches of God.
11:17 But in giving you this order, there is one thing about which I am not pleased : it is that when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, it has come to my ears that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and I take the statement to be true in part. 19 For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen among you. 20 But now, when you come together, it is not possible to take the holy meal of the Lord : 21 For when you take your food, everyone takes his meal before the other ; and one has not enough food, and another is the worse for drink. 22 What ? have you not houses to take your meals in ? or have you no respect for the church of God, putting the poor to shame ? What am I to say to you ? am I to give you praise ? certainly not.
11:23 For it was handed down to me from the Lord, as I gave it to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when Judas was false to him, took bread, 24 And when it had been broken with an act of praise, he said, This is my body which is for you : do this in memory of me. 25 In the same way, with the cup, after the meal, he said, This cup is the new testament in my blood : do this, whenever you take it, in memory of me. 26 For whenever you take the bread and the cup you give witness to the Lord's death till he comes.
11:27 If, then, anyone takes the bread or the cup of the Lord in the wrong spirit, he will be responsible for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let no man take of the bread and the cup without testing himself. But let no man take of the bread and the cup without testing himself. 29 For a man puts himself in danger, if he takes part in the holy meal without being conscious that it is the Lord's body. 30 For this cause a number of you are feeble and ill, and a number are dead. 31 But if we were true judges of ourselves, punishment would not come on us. 32 But if punishment does come, it is sent by the Lord, so that we may be safe when the world is judged.
11:33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another. 34 If any man is in need of food, let him take his meal in his house ; so that you may not come together to your damage. And the rest I will put in order when I come.
11:2 Now I am pleased to see that you keep me in memory in all things, and that you give attention to the teaching which was handed down from me to you. 3 But it is important for you to keep this fact in mind, that the head of every man is Christ ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head. 5 But every woman who does so with her head unveiled, puts shame on her head : for it is the same as if her hair was cut off. 6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her hair be cut off ; but if it is a shame to a woman to have her hair cut off, let her be veiled. For if a woman is not veiled, let her hair be cut off ; but if it is a shame to a woman to have her hair cut off, let her be veiled. 7 For it is not right for a man to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God : but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man did not come from the woman, but the woman from the man. 9 And the man was not made for the woman, but the woman for the man. 10 For this reason it is right for the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 But the woman is not separate from the man, and the man is not separate from the woman in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is from the man, so the man is through the woman ; but all things are from God. 13 Be judges yourselves of the question : does it seem right for a woman to take part in prayer unveiled ? 14 Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him ? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her : for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if any man will not be ruled in this question, this is not our way of doing things, and it is not done in the churches of God.
11:17 But in giving you this order, there is one thing about which I am not pleased : it is that when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, it has come to my ears that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and I take the statement to be true in part. 19 For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen among you. 20 But now, when you come together, it is not possible to take the holy meal of the Lord : 21 For when you take your food, everyone takes his meal before the other ; and one has not enough food, and another is the worse for drink. 22 What ? have you not houses to take your meals in ? or have you no respect for the church of God, putting the poor to shame ? What am I to say to you ? am I to give you praise ? certainly not.
11:23 For it was handed down to me from the Lord, as I gave it to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when Judas was false to him, took bread, 24 And when it had been broken with an act of praise, he said, This is my body which is for you : do this in memory of me. 25 In the same way, with the cup, after the meal, he said, This cup is the new testament in my blood : do this, whenever you take it, in memory of me. 26 For whenever you take the bread and the cup you give witness to the Lord's death till he comes.
11:27 If, then, anyone takes the bread or the cup of the Lord in the wrong spirit, he will be responsible for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let no man take of the bread and the cup without testing himself. But let no man take of the bread and the cup without testing himself. 29 For a man puts himself in danger, if he takes part in the holy meal without being conscious that it is the Lord's body. 30 For this cause a number of you are feeble and ill, and a number are dead. 31 But if we were true judges of ourselves, punishment would not come on us. 32 But if punishment does come, it is sent by the Lord, so that we may be safe when the world is judged.
11:33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another. 34 If any man is in need of food, let him take his meal in his house ; so that you may not come together to your damage. And the rest I will put in order when I come.
I CORINTHIANS, 12
Many parts, one body
12.1. But about the things of the spirit, my brothers, it is not right for you to be without teaching. 2 You are conscious that when you were Gentiles, in whatever way you were guided, you went after images without voice or power. 3 So it is my desire for you to be clear about this ; that no
one is able to say by the Spirit of God that Jesus is cursed ; and no
one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
12:4 Now there are different qualities given to men, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different operations, but the same God, who is working all things in all. 7 But to every man some form of the Spirit's working is given for the common good. 8 For to one are given words of wisdom through the Spirit ; and to another words of knowledge through the same Spirit : 9 To another faith in the same Spirit ; and to another the power of taking away disease, by the one Spirit ; 10 And to another the power of working wonders ; and to another the prophet's word ; and to another the power of testing spirits ; to another different sorts of tongues ; and to another the power of making clear the sense of the tongues : 11 But all these are the operations of the one and the same Spirit, giving to every man separately as his pleasure is.
12:12 For as the body is one, and has a number of parts, and all the parts make one body, so is Christ. 13 For through the baptism of the one Spirit we were all formed into one body, Jews or Greeks, servants or free men, and were all made full of the same Spirit.
12:14 For the body is not one part, but a number of parts. 15 If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body ; it is no less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, Because I am not the eye, I am not a part of the body ; it is a part of the body all the same. 17 If all the body was an eye, where would be the hearing ? if all was hearing, where would be the smelling ? 18 But now God has put every one of the parts in the body as it was pleasing to him. 19 And if they were all one part, where would the body be ? 20 But now they are all different parts, but one body. 21 And the eye may not say to the hand, I have no need of you : or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 No, those parts which seem to be feeble are the more necessary ; 23 And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour ; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect ; 24 But those parts of the body which are beautiful have no need of such care : and so the body has been joined together by God in such a way as to give more honour to those parts which had need of it ; 25 So that there might be no division in the body ; but all the parts might have the same care for one another. 26 And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it ; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad.
12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and every one of you the separate parts of it. 28 And God has put some in the church, first, Apostles ; second, prophets ; third, teachers ; then those with wonder-working powers, then those with the power of taking away disease, helpers, wise guides, users of strange tongues. 29 Are all Apostles ? are all prophets ? are all teachers ? have all the power of working wonders ? 30 Are all able to take away disease ? have all the power of tongues ? are all able to give their sense ? 31 But let your desires be turned to the more important things given by the Spirit. And now I am pointing out to you an even better way.
12:4 Now there are different qualities given to men, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different operations, but the same God, who is working all things in all. 7 But to every man some form of the Spirit's working is given for the common good. 8 For to one are given words of wisdom through the Spirit ; and to another words of knowledge through the same Spirit : 9 To another faith in the same Spirit ; and to another the power of taking away disease, by the one Spirit ; 10 And to another the power of working wonders ; and to another the prophet's word ; and to another the power of testing spirits ; to another different sorts of tongues ; and to another the power of making clear the sense of the tongues : 11 But all these are the operations of the one and the same Spirit, giving to every man separately as his pleasure is.
12:12 For as the body is one, and has a number of parts, and all the parts make one body, so is Christ. 13 For through the baptism of the one Spirit we were all formed into one body, Jews or Greeks, servants or free men, and were all made full of the same Spirit.
12:14 For the body is not one part, but a number of parts. 15 If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body ; it is no less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, Because I am not the eye, I am not a part of the body ; it is a part of the body all the same. 17 If all the body was an eye, where would be the hearing ? if all was hearing, where would be the smelling ? 18 But now God has put every one of the parts in the body as it was pleasing to him. 19 And if they were all one part, where would the body be ? 20 But now they are all different parts, but one body. 21 And the eye may not say to the hand, I have no need of you : or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 No, those parts which seem to be feeble are the more necessary ; 23 And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour ; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect ; 24 But those parts of the body which are beautiful have no need of such care : and so the body has been joined together by God in such a way as to give more honour to those parts which had need of it ; 25 So that there might be no division in the body ; but all the parts might have the same care for one another. 26 And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it ; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad.
12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and every one of you the separate parts of it. 28 And God has put some in the church, first, Apostles ; second, prophets ; third, teachers ; then those with wonder-working powers, then those with the power of taking away disease, helpers, wise guides, users of strange tongues. 29 Are all Apostles ? are all prophets ? are all teachers ? have all the power of working wonders ? 30 Are all able to take away disease ? have all the power of tongues ? are all able to give their sense ? 31 But let your desires be turned to the more important things given by the Spirit. And now I am pointing out to you an even better way.
I CORINTHIANS, 13
Love is
13.1. If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell. 2 And if I have a prophet's power, and have knowledge of all
secret things ; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved
from their place, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me.
13.4 Love is never tired of waiting ; love is kind ; love has no envy ; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride ; 5 Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil ; 6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true ; 7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.
13:8 Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end. 9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet's word gives only a part of what is true : 10 But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. 11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts : now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child. 12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly ; but then face to face : now my knowledge is in part ; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me. 13 But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three ; and the greatest of these is love.
13.4 Love is never tired of waiting ; love is kind ; love has no envy ; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride ; 5 Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil ; 6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true ; 7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.
13:8 Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end. 9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet's word gives only a part of what is true : 10 But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. 11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts : now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child. 12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly ; but then face to face : now my knowledge is in part ; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me. 13 But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three ; and the greatest of these is love.
I CORINTHIANS, 14
Way of love
14.1. Go after love ; still desiring to have the things
which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's
power. 2. For he who makes use of tongues is not talking to men but to
God ; because no one has the sense of what he is saying ; but in the
Spirit he is talking of secret things. 3 But the word of the prophet gives men knowledge and comfort and strength. 4. He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself ; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church. 5. Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of
tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word
from you ; for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense
is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.
14:6 But, now, my brothers, if I come to you using tongues, what profit will it be to you, if I do not give you a revelation, or knowledge, or the word of the prophet, or teaching ? 7. Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played ? 8. For if the war-horn gives out an uncertain note, who will get ready for the fight ? 9. So if you, in using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying ? for you will be talking to the air. 10 There are, it may be, a number of different voices in the world, and no voice is without sense. 11 But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me. 12 So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.
14:13 For this reason, let the man who has the power of using tongues make request that he may, at the same time, be able to give the sense. 14 For if I make use of tongues in my prayers, my spirit makes the prayer, but not my mind. 15 What then ? let my prayer be from the spirit, and equally from the mind ; let my song be from the spirit, and equally from mind. 16 For if you give a blessing with the spirit, how will the man who has no knowledge say, So be it, after your prayer, seeing that he has not taken in what you are saying ? 17 For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge. 18 I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all : 19 But in the church it would be better for me to make use of five words of which the sense was clear, so that others might have profit, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.
14:20 My brothers, do not be children in mind : in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth. 21 In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people ; and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord. 22 For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not : but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not. 23 If, then, the church has come together, and all are using tongues, and there come in men without knowledge or faith, will they not say that you are unbalanced ? 24 But if all are teaching as prophets, and a man without faith or knowledge comes in, he is tested by all, he is judged by all ; 25 The secrets of his heart are made clear ; and he will go down on his face and give worship to God, saying that God is truly among you.
14:26 What is it then, my brothers ? when you come together everyone has a holy song, or a revelation, or a tongue, or is giving the sense of it. Let everything be done for the common good. 27 If any man makes use of a tongue, let it not be more than two, or at the most three, and in turn ; and let someone give the sense : 28 But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church ; and let his words be to himself and to God. 29 And let the prophets give their words, but not more than two or three, and let the others be judges of what they say. 30 But if a revelation is given to another who is seated near, let the first be quiet. 31 For you may all be prophets in turn so that all may get knowledge and comfort ; 32 And the spirits of the prophets are controlled by the prophets ; 33 For God is not a God whose ways are without order, but a God of peace ; as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let women keep quiet in the churches : for it is not right for them to be talking ; but let them be under control, as it says in the law. 35 And if they have a desire for knowledge about anything, let them put questions to their husbands privately : for talking in the church puts shame on a woman. 36 What ? was it from you that the word of God went out ? or did it only come in to you ?
14:37 If any man seems to himself to be a prophet or to have the Spirit, let him take note of the things which I am writing to you, as being the word of the Lord. 38 But if any man is without knowledge, let him be so. 39 So then, my brothers, let it be your chief desire to be prophets ; but let no one be stopped from using tongues. 40 Let all things be done in the right and ordered way.
14:6 But, now, my brothers, if I come to you using tongues, what profit will it be to you, if I do not give you a revelation, or knowledge, or the word of the prophet, or teaching ? 7. Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played ? 8. For if the war-horn gives out an uncertain note, who will get ready for the fight ? 9. So if you, in using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying ? for you will be talking to the air. 10 There are, it may be, a number of different voices in the world, and no voice is without sense. 11 But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me. 12 So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.
14:13 For this reason, let the man who has the power of using tongues make request that he may, at the same time, be able to give the sense. 14 For if I make use of tongues in my prayers, my spirit makes the prayer, but not my mind. 15 What then ? let my prayer be from the spirit, and equally from the mind ; let my song be from the spirit, and equally from mind. 16 For if you give a blessing with the spirit, how will the man who has no knowledge say, So be it, after your prayer, seeing that he has not taken in what you are saying ? 17 For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge. 18 I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all : 19 But in the church it would be better for me to make use of five words of which the sense was clear, so that others might have profit, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.
14:20 My brothers, do not be children in mind : in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth. 21 In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people ; and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord. 22 For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not : but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not. 23 If, then, the church has come together, and all are using tongues, and there come in men without knowledge or faith, will they not say that you are unbalanced ? 24 But if all are teaching as prophets, and a man without faith or knowledge comes in, he is tested by all, he is judged by all ; 25 The secrets of his heart are made clear ; and he will go down on his face and give worship to God, saying that God is truly among you.
14:26 What is it then, my brothers ? when you come together everyone has a holy song, or a revelation, or a tongue, or is giving the sense of it. Let everything be done for the common good. 27 If any man makes use of a tongue, let it not be more than two, or at the most three, and in turn ; and let someone give the sense : 28 But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church ; and let his words be to himself and to God. 29 And let the prophets give their words, but not more than two or three, and let the others be judges of what they say. 30 But if a revelation is given to another who is seated near, let the first be quiet. 31 For you may all be prophets in turn so that all may get knowledge and comfort ; 32 And the spirits of the prophets are controlled by the prophets ; 33 For God is not a God whose ways are without order, but a God of peace ; as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let women keep quiet in the churches : for it is not right for them to be talking ; but let them be under control, as it says in the law. 35 And if they have a desire for knowledge about anything, let them put questions to their husbands privately : for talking in the church puts shame on a woman. 36 What ? was it from you that the word of God went out ? or did it only come in to you ?
14:37 If any man seems to himself to be a prophet or to have the Spirit, let him take note of the things which I am writing to you, as being the word of the Lord. 38 But if any man is without knowledge, let him be so. 39 So then, my brothers, let it be your chief desire to be prophets ; but let no one be stopped from using tongues. 40 Let all things be done in the right and ordered way.
I CORINTHIANS, 15
Resurrection
15.1. Now I am going to make clear to you, my brothers,
what the good news was which I gave to you, and which you took, and on
which your faith is based, 2 By which you have salvation ; that is to say, the form in
which it was given to you, if it is fixed in your minds, and if your
faith in it is not without effect.
15:3 For I gave to you first of all what was handed down to me, how Christ underwent death for our sins, as it says in the Writings ; 4 And he was put in the place of the dead ; and on the third day he came back from the dead, as it says in the Writings ; 5 And he was seen by Cephas ; then by the twelve ; 6 Then by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping ; 7 Then he was seen by James ; then by all the Apostles. 8 And last of all, as by one whose birth was out of the right time, he was seen by me. 9 For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am : and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing ; for I did more work than all of them ; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 If then it is I who am the preacher, or they, this is our word, and to this you have given your faith.
15:12 Now if the good news says that Christ came back from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no coming back from the dead ? 13 But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead : 14 And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect. 15 Yes, and we are seen to be false witnesses of God ; because we gave witness of God that by his power Christ came again from the dead : which is not true if there is no coming back from the dead. 16 For if it is not possible for the dead to come to life again, then Christ has not come to life again : 17 And if that is so, your faith is of no effect ; you are still in your sins. 18 And, in addition, the dead in Christ have gone to destruction. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy.
15:20 But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping. 21 For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead. 22 For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life. 23 But every man in his right order : Christ the first-fruits ; then those who are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he will give up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he will have put an end to all rule and to all authority and power. 25 For his rule will go on till he has put all those who are against him under his feet. 26 The last power to come to an end is death. 27 For, as it says, He has put all things under his feet. But when he says, All things are put under him, it is clear that it is not said about him who put all things under him. 28 And when all things have been put under him, then will the Son himself be under him who put all things under him, so that God may be all in all.
15:29 Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead ? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them ? 30 And why are we in danger every hour ? 31 Yes, truly, by your pride in me, my brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord, my life is one long death. 32 If, after the way of men, I was fighting with beasts at Ephesus, what profit is it to me ? If the dead do not come to life again, let us take our pleasure in feasting, for tomorrow we come to an end. 33 Do not be tricked by false words : evil company does damage to good behaviour. 34 Be awake to righteousness and keep yourselves from sin ; for some have no knowledge of God : I say this to put you to shame.
15:35 But someone will say, How do the dead come back ? and with what sort of body do they come ? 36 Foolish man, it is necessary for the seed which you put into the earth to undergo death in order that it may come to life again : 37 And when you put it into the earth, you do not put in the body which it will be, but only the seed, of grain or some other sort of plant ; 38 But God gives it a body, as it is pleasing to him, and to every seed its special body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh : but there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, and another of fishes. 40 And there are bodies of heaven and bodies of earth, but the glory of the one is different from that of the other. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars ; for the glory of one star is different from that of another.
15:42 So is it with the coming back from the dead. It is planted in death ; it comes again in life : 43 It is planted in shame ; it comes again in glory : feeble when it is planted, it comes again in power : 44 It is planted a natural body ; it comes again as a body of the spirit. If there is a natural body, there is equally a body of the spirit. 45 And so it is said, The first man Adam was a living soul. The last Adam is a life-giving spirit. 46 But that which is natural comes before that which is of the spirit. 47 The first man is from the earth, and of the earth : the second man is from heaven. 48 Those who are of the earth are like the man who was from the earth : and those who are of heaven are like the one from heaven. 49 And in the same way as we have taken on us the image of the man from the earth, so we will take on us the image of the one from heaven. 50 Now I say this, my brothers, that it is not possible for flesh and blood to have a part in the kingdom of God ; and death may not have a part in life.
15:51 See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret : we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. 52 In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn : for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed. 53 For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life. 54 But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, Death is overcome by life. 55 O death, where is your power ? O death, where are your pains ? 56 The pain of death is sin ; and the power of sin is the law : 57 But praise be to God who gives us strength to overcome through our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:58 For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord.
15:3 For I gave to you first of all what was handed down to me, how Christ underwent death for our sins, as it says in the Writings ; 4 And he was put in the place of the dead ; and on the third day he came back from the dead, as it says in the Writings ; 5 And he was seen by Cephas ; then by the twelve ; 6 Then by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping ; 7 Then he was seen by James ; then by all the Apostles. 8 And last of all, as by one whose birth was out of the right time, he was seen by me. 9 For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am : and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing ; for I did more work than all of them ; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 If then it is I who am the preacher, or they, this is our word, and to this you have given your faith.
15:12 Now if the good news says that Christ came back from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no coming back from the dead ? 13 But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead : 14 And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect. 15 Yes, and we are seen to be false witnesses of God ; because we gave witness of God that by his power Christ came again from the dead : which is not true if there is no coming back from the dead. 16 For if it is not possible for the dead to come to life again, then Christ has not come to life again : 17 And if that is so, your faith is of no effect ; you are still in your sins. 18 And, in addition, the dead in Christ have gone to destruction. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy.
15:20 But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping. 21 For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead. 22 For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life. 23 But every man in his right order : Christ the first-fruits ; then those who are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he will give up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he will have put an end to all rule and to all authority and power. 25 For his rule will go on till he has put all those who are against him under his feet. 26 The last power to come to an end is death. 27 For, as it says, He has put all things under his feet. But when he says, All things are put under him, it is clear that it is not said about him who put all things under him. 28 And when all things have been put under him, then will the Son himself be under him who put all things under him, so that God may be all in all.
15:29 Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead ? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them ? 30 And why are we in danger every hour ? 31 Yes, truly, by your pride in me, my brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord, my life is one long death. 32 If, after the way of men, I was fighting with beasts at Ephesus, what profit is it to me ? If the dead do not come to life again, let us take our pleasure in feasting, for tomorrow we come to an end. 33 Do not be tricked by false words : evil company does damage to good behaviour. 34 Be awake to righteousness and keep yourselves from sin ; for some have no knowledge of God : I say this to put you to shame.
15:35 But someone will say, How do the dead come back ? and with what sort of body do they come ? 36 Foolish man, it is necessary for the seed which you put into the earth to undergo death in order that it may come to life again : 37 And when you put it into the earth, you do not put in the body which it will be, but only the seed, of grain or some other sort of plant ; 38 But God gives it a body, as it is pleasing to him, and to every seed its special body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh : but there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, and another of fishes. 40 And there are bodies of heaven and bodies of earth, but the glory of the one is different from that of the other. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars ; for the glory of one star is different from that of another.
15:42 So is it with the coming back from the dead. It is planted in death ; it comes again in life : 43 It is planted in shame ; it comes again in glory : feeble when it is planted, it comes again in power : 44 It is planted a natural body ; it comes again as a body of the spirit. If there is a natural body, there is equally a body of the spirit. 45 And so it is said, The first man Adam was a living soul. The last Adam is a life-giving spirit. 46 But that which is natural comes before that which is of the spirit. 47 The first man is from the earth, and of the earth : the second man is from heaven. 48 Those who are of the earth are like the man who was from the earth : and those who are of heaven are like the one from heaven. 49 And in the same way as we have taken on us the image of the man from the earth, so we will take on us the image of the one from heaven. 50 Now I say this, my brothers, that it is not possible for flesh and blood to have a part in the kingdom of God ; and death may not have a part in life.
15:51 See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret : we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. 52 In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn : for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed. 53 For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life. 54 But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, Death is overcome by life. 55 O death, where is your power ? O death, where are your pains ? 56 The pain of death is sin ; and the power of sin is the law : 57 But praise be to God who gives us strength to overcome through our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:58 For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord.
I CORINTHIANS, 16
Contribution
16.1. Now about the giving of money for the saints, as I gave orders to the churches of Galatia, so do you. 2. On the first day of the week, let every one of you put by
him in store, in measure as he has done well in business, so that it may
not be necessary to get money together when I come. 3. And when I come, I will send the men of your selection with letters to take the money you have got together to Jerusalem. 4. And if it is possible for me to go there, they will go with me.
16:5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia, for that is my purpose ; 6. But I may be with you for a time, or even for the winter, so that you may see me on my way, wherever I go. 7. For it is not my desire to see you now, on my way ; because it is my hope to be with you for some time, if that is the Lord's pleasure. 8. But I will be at Ephesus till Pentecost ; 9. For a great and important door there is open to me, and there are a number of people against me.
16:10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear ; because he is doing the Lord's work, even as I am : 11 See then that he has the honour which is right. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me : for I am looking for him with the brothers.
16:12 But as for Apollos, the brother, I had a great desire for him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not his pleasure to come now ; but he will come when he has a chance.
16:13 Be on the watch, unmoved in the faith, and be strong like men. 14 Let all you do be done in love.
16:15 Now I make my request to you, my brothers, for you have knowledge that the house of Stephanas is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have made themselves the servants of the saints, 16 That you put yourselves under such, and under everyone who is helping the Lord's work. 17 And I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus : for they have done what was needed to make your work complete. 18 For they gave comfort to my spirit and to yours : for which cause give respect to such people.
16:19 The churches of Asia send their love to you. So do Aquila and Prisca, with the church which is in their house. 20 All the brothers send their love to you. Give one another a holy kiss.
16:21 I, Paul, send you these words of love in my writing. 22 If any man has not love for the Lord, let him be cursed. Maran atha (our Lord comes). 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. So be it.
16:5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia, for that is my purpose ; 6. But I may be with you for a time, or even for the winter, so that you may see me on my way, wherever I go. 7. For it is not my desire to see you now, on my way ; because it is my hope to be with you for some time, if that is the Lord's pleasure. 8. But I will be at Ephesus till Pentecost ; 9. For a great and important door there is open to me, and there are a number of people against me.
16:10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear ; because he is doing the Lord's work, even as I am : 11 See then that he has the honour which is right. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me : for I am looking for him with the brothers.
16:12 But as for Apollos, the brother, I had a great desire for him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not his pleasure to come now ; but he will come when he has a chance.
16:13 Be on the watch, unmoved in the faith, and be strong like men. 14 Let all you do be done in love.
16:15 Now I make my request to you, my brothers, for you have knowledge that the house of Stephanas is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have made themselves the servants of the saints, 16 That you put yourselves under such, and under everyone who is helping the Lord's work. 17 And I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus : for they have done what was needed to make your work complete. 18 For they gave comfort to my spirit and to yours : for which cause give respect to such people.
16:19 The churches of Asia send their love to you. So do Aquila and Prisca, with the church which is in their house. 20 All the brothers send their love to you. Give one another a holy kiss.
16:21 I, Paul, send you these words of love in my writing. 22 If any man has not love for the Lord, let him be cursed. Maran atha (our Lord comes). 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. So be it.
