1•1Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and [our] brother Sosthenes,

•2To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [both] their [Lord] and ours:

•3Grace to †you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

•4I thank my¹ God always for †you because of the grace of God which was given †you in Christ Jesus, •5that in every [way] †you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge— •6even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed in †you—•7so that †you are not lacking in any charismatic gift, as †you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, •8who will also confirm †you to the end, unimpeachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. •9God [is] faithful, through whom †you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

•10Now I appeal to †you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of †you agree in what †you say² and [that] there be no divisions among †you, but [that] †you be restored [to unity] in the same mind and in the same viewpoint. •11For it has been indicated to me about †you, my brothers, by those [of the household] of Chloe that there is strife among †you. •12Now I say this because each of †you is saying, "I am Paul's," and "I am Apollos'," and "I am Cephas'," and "I am Christ's." •13Has Christ been divided?⁴ Paul was not crucified for †you, [was he]? Or were †you baptized³ into the name of Paul? •14I thank God⁵ that I baptized³ none of †you except Crispus and Gaius; •15lest anyone should say that †you were baptized³ into my name. •16(And I also baptized³ the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized³ any other [person].) •17For Christ did not send me to baptize³ but to proclaim the gospel, not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ be emptied [of its power].

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•18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. •19For it is written,

•20Where [is] the wise [man]? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? •21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through [its] wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. •22Since indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom, •23thus we preach Christ crucified, a snare to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,⁷ •24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. •25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God [is] stronger than men.

•26For look at †your call, brothers, that not many [of †you were] wise according to the flesh, not many [were] powerful, not many [were] of noble birth; •27but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong, •28and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the scorned things, [that is],⁸ things that are not, to do away with things that are, •29so that no one of flesh might boast in the presence of God. •30Now because of him †you are in Christ Jesus, who to us became wisdom from God, and righteousness and holiness and redemption; •31so that [it might be] just as it is written, "The one who boasts must boast in the Lord."⁹

2•1And when I came to †you, brothers, I did not come with superiority of words or wisdom as I proclaimed to †you the mystery¹ of God. •2For I decided not to know anything among †you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. •3And I was with †you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling; •4and my speech and my preaching [were] not in persuasive words of wisdom,² but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, •5so that †your faith might not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

I Corinthians 2

•6Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but [it is] not a wisdom of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are being done away with. •7But we are speaking the wisdom of God in [the form of] a mystery, [that is], the hidden [wisdom] which God predestined before the ages for our glory. •8None of the rulers of this age have understood this [wisdom]; for if they had understood [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. •9But, just as it is written,

•10Now⁴ God has revealed [them] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. •11For what man knows the [thoughts] of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one has understood the [thoughts] of God except the Spirit of God. •12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, so that we might know the things freely given to us by God. •13We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in [those] taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual [truths] with spiritual [words].⁵ •14Now a man governed by his soul⁶ does not accept the [teachings] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand [them] because they are spiritually discerned.⁷ •15But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. •16"For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?"⁸ But we have the mind of Christ.

3•1And [yet], brothers, I could not speak to †you as spiritual [men], but as [men who are] fleshly, as infants in Christ. •2I gave †you milk to drink, not solid food; for †you were not yet able

I Corinthians 3

[to take it], but even now †you are still not able, •3for †you are still fleshly. For since [there is] jealousy and strife¹ among †you, are †you not fleshly, and walking like [ordinary] men? •4For whenever someone says, "I am Paul's," and another, "I [am] Apollos'," are †you not [merely] men?

•5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom †you believed, even as the Lord gave [a task] to each. •6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. •7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. •8And the one who plants and the one who waters are one, and each will receive [his] own wages according to [his] own labor. •9For we are God's fellow workers; †you are God's field, God's building.

•10According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on [it]. But each one must look out [as to] how he builds on [it]. •11For no one can lay another foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. •12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—•13each one's work will become apparent; for the Day will make [it] evident, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work [to see] of what sort it is. •14If anyone's work which he has built on [the foundation] shall remain, he will receive a reward. •15If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet like this, as through fire.

•16Do †you not know that †you are God's temple and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in †you? •17If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy² him. For the temple of God is holy, [and] that [is what] †you are.

•18No one must deceive himself. If anyone among †you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he may become wise. •19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"³ •20and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain."³ •21So no one must be boasting in men. For all things are †yours, •22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things future, all things [are] †yours; •23and †you [are] Christ's; and Christ [is] God's.

I Corinthians 4

4•1So a man must consider us as attendants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. •2In such a situation, moreover, it is required among stewards that one be found faithful. •3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by †you or by [any] human day [in court]. Indeed I do not even judge myself. •4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but I am not declared righteous [simply] in [view of] this. But the One who judges me is the Lord. •5So do not be passing judgment on anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the secret things of the darkness and make apparent the intentions of [people's] hearts. And then each [person] will have [his] praise from God.

•6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for †your sakes, so that †you may learn by us "not [to go] beyond what is written," so that no one may be puffed up in favor of one against another. •7For who makes you distinctive? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if indeed you did receive [it], why do you boast as though you did not receive [it]?

•8Already †you are filled! Already †you have become rich! †You have come to reign [as kings] apart from us! And O that †you really did reign, so that we also might reign with †you! •9For I think that God has exhibited us apostles [as] last of all, like [men] condemned to death [in the arena]; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. •10We are fools for Christ's sake, but †you [are] sensible in Christ. We [are] weak, but †you [are] strong. †You [are] gloriously respected, but we [are] dishonored. •11To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are beaten up, and are homeless, •12and we labor, working with [our] own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we put up with [it]; •13when slandered,¹ we try to pacify; we have become as the refuse² of the world, the scum² of all things, right up to now.

•14I am not writing these things to shame †you, but to admonish [†you] as my beloved children. •15For though †you have ten thousand custodians in Christ, yet [†you do] not [have] many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I became †your father through the gospel. •16I appeal to †you, therefore, keep

I Corinthians 4

being imitators of me. •17For this [reason] I have sent to †you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind †you of my ways in Christ Jesus,³ just as I teach everywhere in every church.

•18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to †you. •19But I will come to †you soon, if the Lord should will, and I will find out, not the talk of those who are puffed up, but [their] power. •20For the kingdom of God [does] not [consist] in talk but in power. •21What do †you wish? Should I come to †you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of meekness?

5•1It is actually reported [that there is] sexual immorality among †you, and such sexual immorality that [is] not even [found]¹ among the Gentiles—that someone is having [his] father's wife. •2And †you are puffed up, and did not rather mourn so that the one who practiced this deed might be removed from †your midst! •3For indeed although I am absent in body, yet I am present in spirit, and I have already passed judgment, as though I were present, on the one who has so done this: •4in the name of our Lord Jesus, when †you are assembled, and my spirit [is present], with the power of the Lord Jesus, •5[†you are] to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that [his] spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.²

•6The object of †your boasting [is] not good. Do †you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump [of dough]? •7Clean out the old leaven so that †you may be a new lump, just as †you [really] are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover [lamb], has been sacrificed.³ •8So let us be celebrating the feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

•9I wrote to †you in [my] letter not to be associating with sexually immoral [people]; •10not at all [meaning] the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then †you would be obligated to go out of the world. •11But now, I wrote⁴ to †you not to be associating with anyone who wears the name of brother if he is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to be eating with such a one. •12For what have I to do with judging those outside [the church]? [Is it] not those inside [whom] †you judge? •13But God will judge those outside. "Remove the wicked [person] out from among †yourselves."⁵

I Corinthians 6

6•1Does anyone among †you who has a grievance against another dare file a lawsuit before the unrighteous and not before the saints? •2Or do †you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by †you, are †you unworthy of [forming] much lesser courts?¹ •3Do †you not know that we shall judge angels, not to speak of matters pertaining to [this] life? •4If then †you have courts for matters² pertaining to [this] life, do †you sit [as judges] those who are scorned in the church? •5I say [this] to †your shame. So is there not anyone wise among †you, who will be able to decide between his brothers? •6But brother files a lawsuit against brother, and that before unbelievers! •7Indeed then, it is already actually a defeat for †you that †you are having lawsuits among †yourselves. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? •8But †you †yourselves wrong and defraud, and that [even †your own] brothers.

•9Or do †you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Quit being misled; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the sexually effeminate,³ nor homosexuals,⁴ •10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. •11And some of †you were these things. But †you had [†yourselves] bathed, but †you were sanctified, but †you were declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ⁵ and in the Spirit of our God.

•12"All things are permissible for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are permissible for me," but I will not be brought under [its] authority by anything. •13"Foods [are meant] for the stomach and the stomach for foods"—but God will do away with both it and them. Now the body [is] not [meant] for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. •14And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up through his power. •15Do †you not know that †your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make [them] members of a prostitute? Definitely not! •16Or do †you not know that the one who is joined to a prostitute is one body [with her]? For, he says, "The two shall be one flesh."⁶ •17But the one who is

I Corinthians 6

joined to the Lord is one spirit [with him]. •18Keep fleeing sexual immorality. Every [other] sin which a man does is outside the body; but the one who commits sexual immorality sins against [his] own body. •19Or do †you not know that †your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within †you, which †you have from God, and †you are not †your own? •20For †you were bought with a price. So glorify God in †your body.⁷

7•1Now concerning the things about which †you wrote¹: [it is] good for a man not to touch a woman. •2But because of the [temptations that lead to] sexual immorality, each [man] must have his [own] wife and each [woman] must have [her] own husband. •3The husband must keep giving to [his] wife [her sexual] due, and likewise also the wife to [her] husband. •4The wife does not have authority over [her] own body, but [her] husband [does]; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over [his] own body, but [his] wife [does]. •5Do not be depriving one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, so that †you may devote †yourselves to prayer;² and [then] come together again, lest Satan be tempting †you because of †your lack of self-control. •6Now I say this by way of concession, not of command. •7And³ I wish that all men were as indeed [I] myself [am]. But each has [his] own charismatic gift from God, one like this and another like that.

•8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say [that it is] good for them if they remain [single] as I also [am]. •9But if they do not have self-control, they must marry. For it is better to marry than to be burning [with desire].

•10Now to the married I command, not I but the Lord, for the wife not to separate from [her] husband •11(but if indeed she does separate, she must remain unmarried or [else] be reconciled to [her] husband)—and for the husband not to divorce [his] wife.

•12Now to the rest I say, not the Lord, [that] if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to keep living with him, he must not divorce her. •13And if any woman⁴ has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to keep living with her, she must not divorce [her] husband. •14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified by [his] wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified by the brother.⁵ For otherwise, †your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. •15But if the unbelieving [partner] separates, let him separate; the brother or sister has not been

I Corinthians 7

enslaved in such [cases]. But God has called †you⁶ in peace. •16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save [your] husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save [your] wife?

•17Only, as the Lord has apportioned to each one, as God has called each one, so he must keep walking. And so I order in all the churches. •18Was anyone called who was [already] circumcised? He must not surgically conceal [it]. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He must not be circumcised. •19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but [what matters is] keeping the commandments of God. •20Each one must remain in that calling in which he was called. •21Were you called [while] a slave? It must not matter to you. But if indeed you can become free, rather use [the opportunity to do so].⁷ •22For the one who was called in the Lord [while] a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise the one who was called [while] free is a slave of Christ. •23†You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. •24Brothers, each one must remain with God in that [condition] in which he was called.

•25Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give [my] viewpoint as one who has been shown mercy by the Lord to be faithful. •26Therefore I think that this is good because of the present⁸ distress: [it is] good for a man to stay like he is. •27Are you bound to a wife? Do not be seeking [to be] loose. Are you loose from a wife? Do not be seeking a wife. •28But if indeed you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such [people] will have tribulation in the flesh, and I am trying to spare †you [that]. •29I mean this, brothers, the appointed time has been shortened; for the remaining [time], indeed those who have wives should be as though they had none, •30and those who weep as though they were not weeping, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they were not possessing, •31and those who use the world as though they were not fully using [it]. For the form of this world is passing away.

I Corinthians 7

the world, how he may please [his] wife, •34and [his interests] are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are⁹ concerned about the [affairs] of the Lord, how to be holy both in body and spirit; but the married [woman] is concerned about the affairs of the world, how she may please [her] husband. •35Now I am saying this for †your own benefit, not so that I might throw a noose on †you, but for the sake of decency and [†your] devotion to the Lord without distraction.

•36But if anyone thinks that he is behaving indecently toward his virgin, if she is past [her] prime,¹⁰ and it ought to be like this, let him do what he wishes; he does not sin: let them marry. •37But whoever stands steadfast in his heart, and does not have [any] necessity but has authority over [his] own will, and has decided this in his heart, to keep his virgin, he will do well. •38So indeed the one who gives his virgin in marriage¹¹ does well; and [yet] the one who does not give [her] in marriage¹² will do better.

•39A wife has been bound [to her husband]¹³ as long a time as her husband lives. But if the husband falls asleep [in death], she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. •40But in my view she is happier if she remains like this. And I think I also have the Spirit of God.

8•1Now concerning [meat] sacrificed to idols: we know that "we all have knowledge." "Knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. •2If anyone thinks that he knows something, he does not yet know as he has to know. •3But if anyone loves God,¹ he is known by him.

•4Therefore, concerning the eating of [meat] sacrificed to idols, we know that "no idol [has any real existence] in the world," and that "[there is] no God except one." •5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—•6yet for us [there is] one God, the Father, from whom [are] all things and for whom we [exist], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things and through whom we [exist].

I Corinthians 8

•7However, [there is] not [found] in everyone [this] knowledge. But some, because of [their] custom² regarding an idol up to now, eat [meat] as [really] sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. •8But food will not commend us to God. We are neither worse off if we do not eat, nor better off if we do eat. •9But look out lest somehow this right of †yours becomes a stumbling block to the weak. •10For if someone sees you, [a person] who has knowledge, sitting [at the table] in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, since it is weak, be "built up" to start eating [meat] sacrificed to idols? •11For by your knowledge the one who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. •12And when †you sin like this against the brothers and wound their conscience when it is weak,³ †you sin against Christ. •13Therefore, if food is ensnaring my brother [in sin], I shall never eat meat, lest I ensnare my brother [in sin].

9•1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not †you my work in the Lord? •2If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to †you; for †you are my seal of the apostleship in the Lord.

•3My defense to those who examine me is this: •4Do we not have a right to eat and to drink?¹ •5Do we not have a right to take along a sister [in Christ as] a wife, as indeed the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas [do]?¹ •6Or [is it] only Barnabas and I [who] do not have a right to refrain from working [for a living]? •7Who ever serves as a soldier at [his] own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not consume² [some] of the milk of the flock?

•8I am not [just] speaking these things from a human [standpoint], [am I]? Or does not the law also say these things? •9For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing [out the grain]."³ Oxen do not matter to God, [do they]? •10Or does he not certainly say [this] for our sake? For it was written for our sake, because the one who plows ought to plow in hope and the one who threshes [ought to thresh] in hope of sharing⁴ [in the crop]. •11If we have

I Corinthians 9

sown spiritual things among †you, [is it] too much if we shall reap material⁵ things from †you? •12If others are sharing⁴ [this] right from †you, [should] not we [even] more?

However, we have not made use of this right, but we stand all things so that we might not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ. •13Do †you not know that those who officiate at the temple [rites] eat the [food] from the temple, and those who wait on the altar receive a part [of the offerings] with the altar? •14So also the Lord has ordered that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel.

•15But I have not made use of any of these [rights]. And I have not written these things so that [such provision] might thus be [secured] in my [case]. For [it would be] better for me to die than—no one shall make my boast empty! •16For if I am proclaiming the gospel, it is not something for me to boast about. For necessity is laid on me. For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel! •17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not voluntarily, I have been entrusted with [a task of] stewardship. •18What then is my reward? [It is] that in proclaiming the gospel I might offer the gospel free of charge, in order not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

•19For although I am free from all [men], I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win the more. •20And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those under [the] law [I became] as [one] under [the] law—[though] not being under law myself⁶—so that I might win those under [the] law. •21To those without [the] law [I became] as [one] without [the] law—not being without God's law but within Christ's law—so that I might win those without [the] law. •22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all [men], so that I might by all means save some. •23And I do all things because of the gospel, so that I might become a partner in it.

•24Do †you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Thus keep running so that †you may obtain it. •25And everyone who struggles in the athletic games exercises self-control in all things. Now they [do it] to receive a perishable crown, but we an

I Corinthians 9

imperishable. •26Therefore, I run like this, not like [one running] aimlessly; I box like this, not like one beating the air; •27but I give my body a black eye and bring [it] into slavery, lest somehow after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

10•1For I do not wish †you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, •2and all were baptized¹ into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, •3and all ate the same spiritual food •4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were drinking from the spiritual Rock which followed [them], and the Rock was Christ. •5But with the majority of them God was not pleased; for they were scattered [dead] in the wilderness.

•6Now these things were examples for us, in order that we might not desire evil things, as they indeed desired [them]. •7And do not keep being idolaters as some of them [were]; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to start playing."² •8Nor should we be committing sexual immorality as some of them committed sexual immorality and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.³ •9Nor should we be putting Christ⁴ to the test, as some of them tested [him] and perished by the snakes;⁵ •10nor keep grumbling, as some of them grumbled and perished by the Destroyer.⁶ •11Now these things were happening to them as an example, but they were written down for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. •12So the one who thinks that he stands must keep looking out lest he fall. •13No temptation has overtaken †you that is not common to man. But God [is] faithful, and he will not allow †you to be tempted beyond what †you are able [to bear], but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that †you may be able to bear [it].

I Corinthians 10

•14Therefore, my beloved, keep fleeing from idolatry. •15I speak as to sensible [men]; †you must judge what I say. •16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing⁷ in the blood of Christ? The bread⁸ which we break, is it not a sharing⁷ in the body of Christ? •17Because [there is] one bread,⁸ we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.⁸ •18Look at the Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partners with the altar? •19What am I saying then? That [meat] sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? •20[No], but [I am saying] that what [pagans]⁹ sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God. And I do not wish †you to be partners with demons. •21†You cannot keep drinking the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. †You cannot keep partaking of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. •22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than he, [are we]?

•23"All things are permissible,¹⁰" but not all things are expedient. "All things are permissible,¹⁰" but not all things build up. •24No one must be seeking his [own good], but the [good] of the other [person]. •25Keep eating everything that is sold in the meat market without raising any questions for conscience' sake. •26For "the earth [is] the Lord's, and [so is] its fullness."¹¹ •27If one of the unbelievers invites †you [to dinner] and †you wish to go, eat everything that is set before †you without raising any questions for conscience' sake. •28But if someone says to †you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," [then] quit eating for the sake of that [person] who informed [†you], and [for] conscience' [sake]¹²—•29now by conscience I mean, not [yours] yourself, but the other [person's]. For why is my liberty determined by another [person]'s conscience? •30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered because of that for which I give thanks?

•31Therefore, whether †you eat or drink, or whatever †you do, keep doing all things to the glory of God. •32Do not be a stumbling-block to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, •33just as I also try to please all [men] in all things, not seeking my [own] benefit, but that of many, so that they may be saved. 11•1Keep being imitators of me, just as I also [am] of Christ.

I Corinthians 11

•2Now I praise †you¹ because †you remember me in all things and hold fast the traditions just as I delivered [them] to †you. •3But I wish †you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of a woman [is] the man, and the head of Christ [is] God. •4Every man who prays or prophesies while he has [something] on [his] head shames his head. •5But every woman who prays or prophesies with [her] head uncovered shames her head—for it is one and the same as if [her head] were shaven. •6For if a woman is not covering [herself], [then] she must also shear off [her hair]; but if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, she must keep covering [herself]. •7For indeed a man ought not to be covering [his] head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. •8(For man is not from woman, but woman from man. •9For indeed man was not created for woman, but woman for man.) •10For this [reason] a woman ought to keep having [a symbol of] authority² on [her] head, because of the angels. •11(However, in the Lord woman [is] not independent from man nor man independent from woman; •12for just as woman [was made] from man, so also man [is now born] through woman. And all things [are] from God.) •13Judge among †yourselves; is it fitting for a woman to pray to God [with her head] uncovered? •14Does not even nature itself teach †you that, if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, •15but if a woman has long hair, it is glory to her? Because [her] hair has been given to her³ for a wrap. •16But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such custom [as women praying bareheaded], nor [do] the churches of God.

•17But in giving [†you] commands [about] this [following subject], I do not praise [†you], because †you are coming together, not for the better, but for the worse. •18For, in the first place, when †you come together in church, I hear that there are divisions among †you; and I partly believe it, •19for indeed there have to be factions⁴ among †you so that those who are approved [by God] may also become apparent among †you. •20Therefore when †you come together in a group, it is not to eat the Lord's supper. •21For in eating, each one goes ahead with [his] own supper, and one is

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hungry and another is drunk. •22What! Do †you not have houses to eat and drink in?⁵ Or do †you despise the church of God and shame those who do not have [anything]? What shall I say to †you? Shall I praise †you? In this I do not praise [†you].

•23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to †you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, •24and when he had given thanks, he broke [it], and said,⁶ "This is my body which is for⁷ †you. Keep doing this in memory of me." •25In a similar way also [he took] the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Keep doing this, as often as †you drink [it], in memory of me." •26For as often as †you eat this bread and drink the cup, †you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

•27So whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of [profaning] the body and blood of the Lord. •28But a man must examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. •29For the one who eats and drinks⁸ without discerning the body⁹ eats and drinks judgment upon himself. •30For this [reason] many among †you [are] weak and sickly, and a considerable number are asleep [in death]. •31But if we were judging ourselves rightly,¹⁰ we would not be judged. •32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined¹¹ so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

•33So, my brothers, when †you come together in order to eat, wait for one another—•34if anyone is hungry, he must eat at home—lest †you come together for judgment. And the rest of the things I will set in order whenever I come.

12•1Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brothers, I do not wish †you to be ignorant. •2†You know that when †you were pagans,¹ [†you were] being led away to dumb idols, as long as †you were being led. •3Therefore I am making known to †you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says "Jesus [is] accursed" and no one can say "Jesus [is] Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 12

•4Now there are varieties of charismatic gifts, but the same Spirit; •5and there are varieties of services, and [yet] the same Lord; •6and there are varieties of workings, but [it is] the same God who works all things in all [people]. •7But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the benefit [of all]. •8For to one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, •9to [still] another faith by the same Spirit, and to another charismatic gifts of healing by the one Spirit, •10and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the ability to distinquish between spirits, to [still] another [various] kinds of tongues, and to another the translation of tongues. •11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, apportioning to each individually just as he wants.

•12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so also [it is with] Christ. •13For indeed in one Spirit we were all baptized² into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we all were made to drink of one Spirit.

•14For indeed the body is not [just] one member but many. •15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not [a part] of the body," that would not mean it is not [a part] of the body. •16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not [a part] of the body," that would not mean it is not [a part] of the body. •17If the whole body [were] an eye, where [would be] the hearing? If the whole [body were an ear for] hearing, where [would be] the sense of smell? •18But now, God has placed the members in the body, each one of them, just as he wished. •19Now if all were one member, where [would] the body [be]? •20But now, [there are] many members, yet one body. •21And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of †you." •22But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, •23and the [parts] of the body which we think less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our indecent [parts] have [given to them] more abundant decency, •24yet [of which] our decent [parts] have no need. But God has composed the body, giving the more abundant honor to the [part] which lacks, •25so that there may be no division in the body, but [that] the members may be having the same concern for one another. •26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with [it]; or if [one] member is honored,³ all the members rejoice with [it].

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•27Now †you are the body of Christ and individually members [of it]. •28And God has placed some in the church [to be] first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then [workers of] miracles, then [those with] charismatic gifts of healing, [those who] help, [those with gifts of] administration, [and those who speak in various] kinds of tongues. •29All [are] not apostles, [are they]? All [are] not prophets, [are they]? All [are] not teachers, [are they]? All [do] not [work] miracles, [do they]? •30All do not have charismatic gifts of healing, [do they]? All do not speak in tongues, [do they]? All do not translate, [do they]? •31But zealously be seeking for the greater charismatic gifts.

And yet [now] I show †you a more excellent way.

13•1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. •2And if I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. •3And if I give away all my belongings to feed [the poor], and if I deliver up my body so that I may boast,¹ but have not love, I gain nothing.

•4Love is patient [and] is kind; love is not jealous; love does not brag on [itself]; it is not puffed up, •5it does not behave indecently, it does not seek its [own advantage], it does not become provoked, it does not keep account of evil; •6it does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. •7[Love] stands² all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

•8Love never fails. But whether [there be] prophecies, they will be done away with; or tongues, they will cease; or knowledge, it will be done away with. •9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; •10but whenever the perfect comes, that which is in part will be done away with. •11When I was a child,³ I used to speak like a child,³ I used to think like a child,³ I used to reason like a child;³ when I became a man, I did away with childish³ things. •12For right now we see

I Corinthians 13

through a mirror obscurely, but then face to face. Right now I know in part; but then I shall know fully, even as I also have been fully known. •13And now faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.

14•1Keep pursuing love, and keep zealously seeking the spiritual [gifts], and especially that †you may prophecy. •2For one who speaks in a tongue is speaking not to men but to God; for no one understands [what he is saying], but he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. •3But one who prophesies speaks to men [for their] upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. •4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. •5Now I wish for †you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. And the one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless [someone] translates, so that the church may receive upbuilding.

•6But now, brothers, if I come to †you speaking in tongues, in what way shall I benefit †you unless I speak to †you either by revelation or by knowledge or by prophecy or by teaching? •7By way of comparison, if lifeless [instruments] that give off a sound, whether flute or harp, do not give a distinction between notes, how will it be known what is being played on the flute or the harp? •8For indeed if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get ready for battle? •9So also [it is with] †you; unless †you give off intelligible speech through [†your] tongue, how will it be known what is being said? For †you will be speaking into the air. •10There are probably ever so many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without significance. •11If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a barbarian to the one who speaks and the one who speaks [shall be] a barbarian to me. •12So also [it is with] †you; since †you are zealous for the Spirit's [gifts], keep seeking to excel in the upbuilding of the church.

•13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue must be praying [for the ability] to translate. •14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. •15What does [this] mean then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing psalms with the spirit and I will sing psalms with the mind also. •16Otherwise, if you bless¹ with the spirit, how shall the one who

I Corinthians 14

fills the place of the uninitiated² say the "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? •17For indeed you give thanks well, but the other [man] is not built up. •18I thank God [that] I speak in tongues more than †you all; •19but in church I wish [rather] to speak five words with my mind, so that I might instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

•20Brothers, do not keep being children in [†your] thinking; in evil keep being like infants, but in [†your] thinking keep being mature. •21In the law it is written, "By [men of] other tongues and by the lips of others will I speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me,"³ says the Lord. •22So tongues are meant as a sign not for [producing] believers but unbelievers, and prophecy [is] not for [producing] unbelievers but believers. •23Therefore if the whole church comes together in a group and all are speaking in tongues, and [some] who are initiated or unbelievers enter, will they not say that †you are crazy? •24But if all are prophesying, and some unbeliever or uninitiated [person] enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, •25the secrets of his heart become apparent; and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among †you.

•26What does [this] mean then, brothers? Whenever †you come together, each one⁴ has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, [or] has a translation. All things must be done for upbuilding. •27If anyone speaks in a tongue, [there must be] only two or at most three, and [each] in turn; and one must translate. •28But if there is no translator, he must keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. •29Two or three prophets must speak, and the others must use [the gift of] distinguishing. •30But if [something] is revealed to another sitting by, the first must keep silent. •31For †you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. •32And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. •33For God is not [a God] of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, •34the women⁵ must keep silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be subject, just as the law also says. •35And if they wish to learn something, they must ask [their] own husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.⁶ •36Or [was it] from †you [that] the word of God went out, or has it come to †you alone?

I Corinthians 14

•37If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he must keep recognizing that what I am writing to †you is a command⁷ of the Lord. •38But if anyone ignores [this], he is ignored.⁸ •39So, my brothers, be zealously seeking to prophesy, and do not be forbidding speaking in tongues. •40But all things must be done decently and in order.

15•1Now I am making known to †you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed to †you, which †you also received, in which †you also stand, •2through which †you also are saved, if †you hold fast that word of which I proclaimed the good news to †you—unless †you believed in vain.

•3For I delivered to †you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, •4and that he was buried, and that he has been raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, •5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. •6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain [alive] up to now, but some have fallen asleep. •7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. •8And last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared to me also. •9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. •10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain;¹ but I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet [it was] not I, but the grace of God which is with me. •11Whether then [it was] I or they, so we preach and so †you believed.

•12Now if Christ is preached as having been raised from the dead, how [is it that] some among †you are saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? •13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ has not been raised either; •14and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching [is] in vain¹ and †your² faith [is] in vain.¹ •15And we are even found [to be] false witnesses about God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. •16For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised either. •17And if Christ has not been raised, †your faith [is] vain [and] †you are still in †your sins. •18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. •19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

I Corinthians 15

•20But now, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. •21For since through a man [came] death, through a man [has come] also the resurrection of the dead. •22For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. •23But each in [his] own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his arrival those who are Christ's; •24then [comes] the end, whenever he delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father, whenever he has done away with every ruler and every authority and power. •25For he has to keep reigning until he has put all [his] enemies under his feet. •26The last enemy to be done away with is death. •27"For [God] has put all things in subjection under his feet."³ But whenever it says, "All things are put in subjection," [it is] evident that he is excepted who put all things in subjection to him. •28But whenever all things are put in subjection to him, then the Son himself will also be put in subjection to the One who put all things in subjection to him, so that God may be all in all.

•29Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized⁴ on account of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why indeed are [people] baptized⁴ on account of them?⁵ •30Why also are we in danger every hour? •31[I protest], brothers, by [my] boasting in †you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! •32If, from a human [standpoint], I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what [do] I gain? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."⁶ •33Quit being misled: "Evil companions corrupt good morals."⁷ •34Sober up as is right, and quit sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say [this] to †your shame.

•35But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?" •36Senseless [person]! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. •37And what you sow, [it is] not the body which is to be [that] you sow, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of some other [kind]. •38But God gives it a body just as he has wished, and to each [kind] of seed [its] own body. •39All flesh [is] not the same flesh, but [there is] one [kind] for men, and another flesh for livestock, and another flesh for birds, and another for fish. •40[There are] also heavenly bodies and

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[there are] earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly [is] one [thing], and the [glory] of the earthly [is] another. •41[There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

•42So also [it is with] the resurrection of the dead. [The body] is sown in perishability; it is raised in imperishability. •43It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. •44It is sown a physical⁸ body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical⁸ body, there is also a spiritual [body]. •45Thus indeed it is written, "The first man Adam became a living soul";⁹ the last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit. •46But [it is] not the spiritual which is first but the physical,⁸ [and] then the spiritual. •47The first man [was] from the earth, made of dirt; the second man [is]¹⁰ from heaven. •48As [was] the one made of dirt, so also [are] those who are made of dirt; and as [is] the heavenly One, so also [are] those who are heavenly. •49And just as we have worn the image of the one made of dirt, we shall¹¹ also wear the image of the heavenly One.

•50Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does perishability inherit imperishability. •51Behold, I tell †you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, •52in a moment, in the casting of an eye's [glance], at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. •53For this perishable [body] has to put on imperishability, and this mortal [body] has to put on immortality. •54And whenever this perishable [body] puts on imperishability, and¹² this mortal [body] puts on immortality, than shall take place the saying that is written:

I Corinthians 15

•58So my beloved brothers, keep being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that †your labor is not in vain¹ in the Lord.

16•1Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave orders to the churches of Galatia, so †you also must do. •2On the first day of every week, each of †you must keep putting [some of his income] aside¹ and storing [it] up, as he may prosper, so that there may not be collections then, whenever I come. •3And whenever I arrive, I will send those whom †you approve with letters to carry †your favor to Jerusalem. •4And if it should be worthwhile for me to go also, they will go with me.

•5Now I will come to †you whenever I have passed through Macedonia, for I am to pass through Macedonia, •6and perhaps I will stay with †you or even spend the winter, so that †you may assist me on my journey, wherever I go. •7For I do not wish to see †you now just in passing; for I am hoping to remain some time with †you, if the Lord permits. •8But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, •9for a great and effective door has opened to me, and [there are] many opponents.

•10Now if Timothy comes, keep seeing [to it] that he has no cause to be afraid among †you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I also [am]. •11Therefore, do not let anyone scorn him. But assist him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers.

•12Now concerning [our] brother Apollos, I have appealed to him many times to come to †you with the brothers, and [yet] it was not at all [his] will² to come now. But he will come whenever he has opportunity.

•13Keep watching, keep standing firm in the faith, keep being manly, keep being strong. •14All †your [deeds] must be done in love.

I Corinthians 16

•15Now, brothers, †you know that the household of Stephanas is the firstfruits³ of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I appeal to †you •16that indeed †you may be subject to such [people] and to everyone who works together and labors. •17Now I rejoice at the arrival⁴ of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for what was lacking on †your part; •18for they refreshed my spirit and †yours [as well]. Therefore, keep recognizing such ones.

•19The churches of Asia greet †you. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet †you much in the Lord. •20All the brothers greet †you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

•21[I], Paul, [write this] greeting with my [own] hand. •22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. [Our] Lord, come!⁵ •23The grace of the Lord Jesus [be] with †you. •24My love [be] with †you all in Christ Jesus.⁶