Paul's First Letter To the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1

Paul's Greeting

1 Paul, by God's will called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 To God's congregation which is in Corinth, to those who have been made holy in Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones, with everyone in every place who calls on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

3 Gracious favor and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thankful for God's Blessings

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, because of God's gracious favor which was granted to you through Jesus Christ;

5 Because in everything you have been enriched in him, in all speech, and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

7 So that you come behind in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who will also establish you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Have No Divisions in the Church

10 Now I plead with you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly united in the same mindset and in the same judgment.

11 Because my brothers and sisters, it's been reported to me  by those of Chloe's household that with regards to you, there's quarreling among you.

12 And I say this because every one of you are saying, "I'm a disciple of Paul;" and "I'm a disciple of Apollos;" and "I'm a disciple of Cephas;" but "I'm a disciple of Christ."

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I didn't baptize any of you, except for Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

16 Now I also did baptize the household of Stephanas: but besides that, I don't know whether I baptized any other.

17 Because Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to proclaim the Good News: not in the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Christ Is the Power and Wisdom of God

18 For the proclaiming of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it's the power of God.

19 For it's written, “I'll destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I'll bring to nothing the understanding of the intelligent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through  it's wisdom didn't know God, therefore it pleased God through the foolishness of the message proclaimed to save those who believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we proclaim Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;

24 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Glory Only in the Lord

26 For brothers and sisters, observe how you were called, that not many wise people (according to the flesh), not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 For God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, these God has chosen; yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are:

29 So that no flesh should boast in his presence. 

30 But because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us, and righteousness, and holiness, and redemption:

31 So then, just as it's written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord!”

1 Corinthians 2

Know Only Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

1 And I, brothers and sisters, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.

2 Rather I determined to know nothing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my proclamation were not with enticing words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 So that your faith wouldn’t be based in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

The Wisdom of God's Spirit

6 But we speak wisdom among those who are mature: however not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing:

7 Rather we speak the wisdom of God in a secret mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8 Which none of the rulers of this age have known: for had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it's written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the human heart, the things which God has prepared for those who love him.”

10 But God has revealed these things to us through his Spirit: because the Spirit searches out everything; yes, even the deep things of God.

11 For who among human beings knows the thoughts of another person; other than the spirit of that person, who resides in them? Even so no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have not received the spirit of this world; but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things which are freely given to us by God.

13 These things we also speak; not in the words which human wisdom teaches, but that which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

14 But the natural person doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit: because they're foolishness to them: neither can they know them, because they're spiritually discerned.

15 But the spiritual person judges everything, though they themselves are rightly judged by no one.

16 Because who has known the mind of the Lord, that they should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3

Sectarianism Is Carnal

1 Yet brothers and sisters, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual people, but rather as to fleshly minded people, even as to infants in Christ.

2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; because until now you weren't able to receive it, and even now you're still not able to receive it;

3 Because you're still fleshly minded: for when there is envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not fleshly minded and behaving like mere human beings?

4 For when someone says, “I'm a disciple of Paul," and another, "I'm a disciple of Apollos;" are you not fleshly minded?

Watering, Working, Warning

5 For who is Paul, and who is Apollos? We're only the servants through whom you believed. As the Lord gave to each one:

6 I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything; rather it is God who gives the increase.

8 Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one: and each one will receive their own reward according to their own work.

9 For we are co-workers with God, and you are God's field, you are God's building.

Jesus Christ Is the Only Foundation

10 According to God's gracious favor which was given to me, I as a wise master builder, have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let everyone be careful how they build on it:

11 Because no one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if someone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones or another with wood, hay, and straw;

13 Each one's work will become clear; because that Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; for the fire will test each one's work, to see of what sort it is.

14 If anyone's work which they have built on it endures; they'll receive a reward.

15 If anyone's work is burned up, they'll suffer loss; yet they will be saved, but as through fire.

You Are the Temple of God

16 Don't you know that you are God’s temple, and that God's Spirit resides in you?

17 If anyone defiles God’s temple, God will destroy them, because God’s temple is holy; whose temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 Let no one deceive themselves: if anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let them become a fool, that they may become wise.

19 Because the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: because it's written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness.”

20 And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are empty thoughts.”

21 Therefore no one should brag about human beings. Everything is yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; everything is yours.

23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

1 Corinthians 4

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

1  This is how a person should consider us: as servants of Christ and as dispensers of God's secret mysteries.

2 Moreover it is required of one dispensing truth, that they be found faithful.

3 But with me it's a very small thing if I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don't even judge myself.

4 For though I know of nothing against myself; yet I'm not justified by this: but he who judges me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light both the hidden things of darkness and reveal the secret counsels of the hearts: then each one's praise will come from God.

Do Not Be Puffed Up with Pride

6 Now brothers and sisters, for your sakes I have figuratively transferred these things to myself and Apollos; that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written: that none of you may be puffed up against another on behalf of another.

7 Because who made you differ from another? And what do you have that you haven’t receive? Now indeed, if you received it; why do you boast as though you had not received it?

8 Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us. And indeed, I wish that you did reign; that we might also reign with you.

9 Because I think that God has displayed us, the apostles as last: as men condemned to die; because we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to heavenly messengers and to human beings.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are despised.

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

12 And we work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure it.

13 When we are insulted, we answer kindly. We have become like the scum of the world; with regards to everything else, we are like something brushed off, even now. [Literally, call near.]

Paul Is Their Spiritual Father

14 I'm not writing these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I counsel you:

15 For though you may have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I gave birth to you through the Good News.

16 I plead with you; become imitators of me!

17 For this reason I sent Timothy (who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord) to you: he will remind you of my ways in Christ; just as I teach everywhere, in every congregation.

18 Now some of you are puffed up; as though I wasn't going to come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills; and I will know, not the speech of those who are puffed up, but their power.

20 Because God's Kingdom isn't demonstrated in word, but in power.

21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a stick? Or in love, and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 5

Immorality Defiles the Church

1 It's actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the nations; that one of you has his father's wife.

2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned; that he who has done this deed might be removed from among you.

3 For indeed, though I am absent in body, yet I am present in spirit: and I have already judged (as though I were present) him who has done this deed.

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 Deliver such a one to Satan, for the destruction of his flesh; so that his spirit might be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your boasting is not good! Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?

7 Therefore clean out the old yeast; so that you may become a new batch. For indeed, you are to be unleavened; because Christ our Passover Lamb was sacrificed for us.

8 Therefore, we must observe the feast: not with old yeast, or with the yeast of badness and evil; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Immorality in the Church Must Be Judged

9 I wrote to you in my previous letter; not to keep company with sexually immoral people:

10 Yet I didn't at all mean; not to keep company with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and with swindlers, or with idolaters, because then you would have to go out of the world.

11 But now, I am writing to you; not to keep company with any so-called brother or sister, if they are an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or an abusive person, or a drunk, or a swindler; not even to eat with such a one.

12 Because what do I have to do with judging those who are outside? Are you not to judge those who are inside?

13 But God will judge those who are outside. Therefore “Remove the wicked person from among you!”

1 Corinthians 6

Settle Lawsuits Within the Church

1 How dare any of you, who has a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before God's holy people?

2 Don't you know that God's holy people will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unfit to judge the smallest matters?

3 Don't you know that we will judge angelic messengers? How much more things that pertain to this life?

4 So if you have judgments concerning the things pertaining to this life; why do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the congregation to judge?

5 I say this to your shame. Is it the case, that there is not a wise person among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between their brothers and sisters?

6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers.

7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why don't you rather accept wrong? Why don't you rather let yourselves be cheated?

8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brothers and sisters.

9 Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's Kingdom? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually promiscuous, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

10 Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunks, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit God's Kingdom.

11 And such were some of you: but you were washed, but you were made holy, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Glorify God in Body and Spirit

12 Everything is lawful for me, but not everything is expedient: everything is lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of anything.

13 Foods are for the stomach, and the stomach for foods: but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14 And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his own power.

15 Don't you know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Then should I take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a prostitute? May it not be!

16 What? Don't you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body with her? Because he said, "The two will become one flesh.”

17 But the one who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

18 Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the one who commits sexual immorality sins against their own body.

19 What? Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, and you are not your own?

20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 7

Guidance Concerning Marriage

1 Now concerning the things which you wrote to me: it's good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid sexual immorality, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

4 The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.

5 Don't deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and then come together again so that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 But I say this according to common sense, not as a commandment.

7 Because I wish that all people were just like I myself. But each one has their own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

8 Therefore I say to the unmarried and widows, “It's good for them if they remain unmarried just like me.”

9 But if they don't have self-control, let them marry: because it’s better to marry than to burn with passion.

Keep Your Marriage Vows

10 And to the married I instruct, however not I, but the Lord, “A wife must not leave her husband:”

11 But if she leaves, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: “And a husband must not divorce his wife.”

12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord: “If any brother has a wife who doesn't believe, and she's willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.”

13 And, "A woman who has a husband who doesn't believe, if he's willing to live with her, let her not divorce him."

14 Because the unbelieving husband is made holy by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband: otherwise your children would be unclean; but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let them leave. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace.

16 Because how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 But as God has assigned to each one, as the Lord has called each one, let them so walk. And these are the guidelines which I lay out in all the congregations.

18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let them not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let them not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but observing God's commandments is what matters.

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which they were called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Don't be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather do that.

22 Because whoever is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's free person. Likewise whoever is called while free is Christ's slave.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

24 Brothers and sisters, let each one remain with God in that state in which they were called.

Paul's Advise to the Unmarried and Widows

25 But concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give my opinion as one whom the Lord in his compassion has made trustworthy.

26 Therefore, because of the present crisis, I think it is best for a person to remain as they are:

27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Don't seek a wife.

28 But even if you do marry, you haven't sinned; and if a virgin marries, she hasn't sinned. Nevertheless, such will be under intense pressure in the flesh, and I'm trying to spare you.

29 But this I say, brothers and sisters, the time is short: so from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none;

30 And those who weep as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy as though they didn't possess anything;

31 And those who use this world as though they didn't misuse it. Because world in its present form is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without any concerns. He who is unmarried cares about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she who is married cares about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And I say this for your own benefit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for the sake of that which is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man thinks that he is acting improperly toward his virgin fiancée, if she is past the prime of her youth, and need so require, let him do what he desires, he is not sinning: let them marry.

37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virginity, does well.

38 So then, he who gets married does well, but he who does not get married does better.

39 A wife is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whomever she wishes, but only in the Lord.

40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have heard the Spirit of God concerning this.

1 Corinthians 8

Be Sensitive to the Conscience of Others

1 Now concerning things offered to idols: we know that we all have knowledge; knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2 And if anyone thinks that they know anything, they know nothing yet as they should know it.

3 But if anyone loves God, they are known by him.

4 Therefore concerning eating things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5 Because even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (indeed there are many gods and many lords),

6 Yet 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.

7 However, not everyone possess this knowledge. But some, with consciousness of the idol, eat food as if it was offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8 But food doesn't commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we any better, nor if we do not eat are we any worse.

9 But be on your guard: lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 Because if someone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of the one who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols?

11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

12 When you sin against a brother or sister in this way, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if food makes my brother or sister stumble, I will never eat meat again; lest I make my brother or sister stumble.

1 Corinthians 9

Rights as an Apostle of the Lord

1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. Because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this,

4 Don't we have the right to eat and to drink?

5 Don't we have the right to take a wife, a sister, along with us? As also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas do?

6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who have no right to refrain from working?

7 Who goes to war at their own expense? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and doesn't drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a mere human being? Doesn't the law also say the same thing?

9 For it's written in the law of Moses, “Don't muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is God only concerned about oxen?

10 Or is he speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman should plow in expectation, and the thresher should thresh in expectation of sharing in the harvest.

11 If we have sown spiritual things in you; is it too much if we harvest material things from you?

12 If others are partakers of this right over you, shouldn't we even more be partakers? Nevertheless we haven't used this right, rather we endure all things lest we hinder the Good News of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple eat of the holy things of the temple? And that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?

14 In the same way, the Lord has directed that those who proclaim the Good News should receive their living from the Good News.

15 But I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; because it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting empty.

16 For if I proclaim the Good News, I have nothing to boast about, because a responsibility has been placed upon me; indeed, woe to me if I do not proclaim the Good News!

17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I am still entrusted with the administration of it.

18 What is my reward then? That when I proclaim the Good News, I may present the Good News about Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the Good News.

Serving All

19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may gain more of them.

20 And so to the Jews, I became like a Jew, that I may gain the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, so that I may win those who are under the law;

21 To those who are without law, as being without law (though not being without the law of God, but under the law of Christ), so that I may win those who are without law.

22 To the weak I became as weak, that I may win the weak. I have become all things to everyone, that by all means I may save some of them.

23 And I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a partaker of it with you.

Run the Race with Self-Control

24 Indeed, don't you know that everyone who runs in a race, runs; but only one receives the prize? Therefore, run in such a way that you may obtain it!

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we do it to obtain an imperishable crown.

26 So I do not run aimlessly; nor do I box as one beating the air.

27 Therefore, I beat my own body and make it my slave, lest by any means, after I have proclaimed the Good News to others, I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 10

Examples from Old Testament History

1 Moreover, brothers and sisters, I don't want you to be unaware that all of our fathers were under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea;

2 And they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And they all ate the same spiritual food;

4 And they all drank the same spiritual drink; because they drank from that spiritual Rock which followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

5 But God wasn't well pleased with most of them, because their dead bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were examples for us, so that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved them.

7 And don't become idolaters like some of them were: as it's written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

8 Neither are we to commit sexual immorality, like some of them did, and in one day 23,000 fell.

9 Neither are we test Christ, like some of them also tested him, and were destroyed by snakes.

10 Nor are we to complain, like some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

11 Now all of these things happened to them as examples: and they are written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has came.

12 So those who think they stand firm, need to watch out, or else they too may fall.

13 No temptation or test has taken hold of you, except that which is common to people; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted and tested beyond that which you are able to endure. But rather, with the temptation and test, God will also make a way out, so that you will be able to bear up under it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my dearly beloved friends, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise people; judge for yourselves what I am saying:

16 The cup of blessing which we bless: is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread that we break: is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one loaf of bread, and one body: for we all partake of that one loaf of bread.

18 Observe Israel according to the flesh: aren't those who eat of the sacrifices on the alter, partakers of the altar?

19 Then what am I implying? That an idol is anything, or that what is offered to idols is anything?

20 No, rather, the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I don't want you to have fellowship with demons.

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.

22 Or should we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 Everything is lawful for me, but not everything is expedient: everything is lawful for me, but everything doesn't build us up.

24 Don't seek your own wellbeing, but that of the other.

25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience sake;

26 Because, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you want to go; eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if someone tells you, “This was offered to idols,” don't eat it, for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.

29 But I say conscience, not your own conscience, but that of the other: for “the earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it,” so why is my freedom judged by another person's conscience?

30 For if I partake with thanksgiving, why is evil spoken of me, because of the food which I give thanks over?

31 Therefore whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God!

32 Be without offense: both to the Jews, and to the Greeks, and to God's congregation.

33 Even as I also try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of many others, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 11

Paul’s Instructions on Public Worship

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am a imitator of Christ.

2 Now brothers and sisters, I applaud you! because you have remembered me in all these things, and you hold on firmly to these instructions; just as I transmitted them to you.

3 Now I want you to know, that the head over every man is Christ; and the head over a wife is her husband; and the head over Christ is God.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

5 But every wife praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that's one and the same as if her head were shaved.

6 For if a wife doesn't cover her head, then she should cut off her hair. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to cut off her hair or shave her head, she should cover her head.

7 For indeed a man shouldn't cover his head, having come into existence in the image and glory of God: but a wife is the glory of her husband.

8 Because man didn't come from woman, but woman from man.

9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this reason a wife should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the heavenly messengers.

11 However, in the Lord, man is not separate from woman, nor is woman separate from man,

12 For just as woman came from a man, so too a man comes from a woman; but everything comes from God.

13 Judge among yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?

14 Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it's a disgrace to him?

15 But if a woman has long hair, it's a glory to her: because her hair is given to her as a covering.

16 But if anyone seems to be contentious about this, we have no such custom, neither do God's congregations.

Instructions on Observing the Lord's Supper

17 But in giving the following instructions, I cannot applaud you: because when you come together, it's not for the better, but for the worse.

18 Because first of all, when you come together as a congregation, I hear that there's divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

20 So, when you come together in the same place, it is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 Because when you eat together, everyone hurries to get their own supper first. So one goes hungry, while another gets drunk.

22 What? Don't you have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise God's congregation, and shame those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I applaud you in this? I do not applaud you.

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread;

24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same manner he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26 So as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Examine Yourself Before Partaking

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

28 But each person must examine themselves, and after so doing let them eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

29 Because whoever eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, eats and drinks judgment on themselves, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 Because of this many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 But if we would scrutinize ourselves, we wouldn't be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the LORD, that we might not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

34 But if anyone is hungry, let them eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the remaining things I will set in order when I come.

1 Corinthians 12

Instructions Concerning Spiritual Gifts

1 Now brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts.

2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to idols which could not speak, however you were led away.

3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6 And there are different kinds of activities, but it is the same God who activates them all in everyone.

7 But the demostration of the Spirit is given to each one for the benefit of everyone:

8 For indeed to one a word of wisdom is given by the Spirit; to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 And to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 And to another the working of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another various kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these activities are by the one and the same Spirit, distributed to each one individually, as he chooses.

Unity and Diversity in One Body

12 Because just as the body is one, and yet has many members; yet all the members of that one body, though they are many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 Because by one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Greeks, whether we are slaves or free; and we all have been made to drink in one Spirit.

14 For in fact the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” is it therefore not part of the body?

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” is it therefore not part of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased.

19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed we are many members, yet one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you:” nor again can the head say to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

24 But our presentable parts have no need. But God joined the body together, by giving greater honor to the member which lacked it,

25 That there should be no division in the body; but that the members should have the same care for one another.

26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Priorities in Spiritual Gifts

28 And indeed God has appointed these offices in the congregation: first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that powerful miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of powerful miracles?

30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31 Nevertheless, earnestly desire the better gifts. [Literally, have a warmth of feeling for.] 

Yet, now I will show you a path which surpasses everything else!

1 Corinthians 13

Love Is the Greatest Gift

1 If I speak with all the tongues of mankind and of heavenly messengers, but do not have love, I have become a hollow gong, or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and have all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3 And if I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

The Qualities & Permanence of Love

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love doesn't envy others; love doesn't parade itself, it isn't puffed up;

5 Love doesn't behave rudely, it doesn't seek its own, it isn't provoked to anger, it doesn't take into account a wrong suffered; [Literally, doesn't become sharp.]

6 Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but it rejoices in the truth;

7 Love covers everything, it's always faithful, it always has confident-expectations, it endures everything.

8 Love never fails!

But if there are gifts of prophecy, when the Lord returns they will cease to be used; if there are gifts of tongues, they will become silent; if there are gifts of knowledge, they will will cease to be used. [See verse 12.]

9 (For now we know in part, and we prophesy in part:

10 but when perfection has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.)

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood like a child, I thought like a child: but when I became a mature man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see a dim reflection in a metal mirror, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I will know just as I also am known.

13 But now these three remain: faith, confident-expectation, and love. But the greatest of these is love!

1 Corinthians 14

Comparing Prophecy and Tongues

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

2 For one who speaks in a tongue doesn't speak to people but to God: because no one understands them; however, in the spirit they speak secret mysteries.

3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people: so that they may be built up, encouraged, and comforted.

4 The one who speaks in an unknown tongue builds themselves up; but the one who prophesies builds up the congregation.

5 Now I want all of you to speak in tongues; but even more to prophesy. Because the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless they interpret, so that the congregation may be built up.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?

7 Even things without life, which give a sound, whether a flute or a harp; unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how will what is being played be known?

8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

9 So likewise you, unless you speak with the tongue words that are easy to understand, how will it be known what is being spoken? Rather you will be speaking into the air.

10 There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

11 But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be a foreigner to me. [Literally, power of the sound.]

12 So you also, since you're zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the building up of the congregation that you seek to excel:

13 Therefore let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that they may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit is praying, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 Then what's the answer? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding.

16 Otherwise, if you speak well with the spirit, how will the one who occupies the place of the uninformed say, “Amen! (Indeed!)” at your giving of thanks, since they don't understand what you said?

17 For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other is not built up.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than all of you:

19 Yet in the congregation I would rather speak 5 words with my understanding, that I may also teach others, than 10,000 words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brothers and sisters, don't be children in your thinking. Instead, be as innocent as infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

21 In the law it's written, “With people of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; yet in this way they will not hear me,” says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

23 Therefore if the whole congregation comes together in one place, and everyone speak with tongues, and those who are uneducated or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you're crazy?

24 But if everyone prophesies, and an unbeliever or an uneducated person comes in, they are convinced by everyone, they are convicted by everyone.

25 And in this way the secrets of their heart will be revealed; and so, falling down on their face, they will worship God and report that God truly is among you.

Worship Must Be Done Decently and in Order

26 How then is it to be, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each of you should have a song, have a teaching, have a tongue, have a revelation, have an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up others.

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let them keep silent in the congregation; and let them speak silently to themselves and to God.

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first be silent.

31 Because you can prophesy, one by one, that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.

32 For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 Because God is not the author of disorder, but of peace, as in all congregations of God's holy people.

34 Let your wives be quiet in the congregations: because they're not allowed to talk during service; but they’re to be submissive, as the law also says.

35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; because it's shameful for women to talk in the congregation during service. [Note: Paul said this because women were talking during the service; but women aren't prohibited from prophesying or teaching in church: consider "Anna the Prophetess." See Luke 2:36-38 and Acts 21:9.]

36 Or did God's Word only go out from you? Or did it only come to you?

37 If anyone thinks they're a prophet or a spiritual person, let them acknowledge that the things that I'm writing to you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if anyone doesn’t recognize this, they're not to be recognized.

39 Therefore, brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues.

40 But let everything be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection of Christ

1 Moreover, brothers and sisters, I make known to you the Good News which I proclaimed as Good News to you, which you also received and in which you stand;

2 By which you are also saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I announced as Good News to you, unless you have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:

5 And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the 12:

6 After that, he was seen by over 500 brothers and sisters at one time; of whom the greater part remains until now, but some have fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen by James; then by all the apostles.

8 Then last of all he also was seen by me, as by one born out of due time.

9 Because I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God's congregation.

10 But by God's gracious favor I am what I am: and his gracious favor which was bestowed on me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but God's gracious favor which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it was I or them, this is what we proclaimed to you, and this is what you have believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if it has been proclaimed to you that Christ rose from the dead, why do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ also has not risen:

14 And if Christ has not risen, then our proclamation is empty promises and your faith is also an empty hope.

15 And we're also found to be false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise.

16 Because if the dead do not rise, then Christ also has not risen:

17 And if Christ has not risen, your faith is an empty hope; and you are still in your sins.

18 Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ, have also perished.

19 If we only have hope in Christ in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.

The Order of the Resurrection

20 But now Christ has risen from the dead, and he has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead came through a man.

22 Because just as in Adam everyone dies, so too in Christ everyone will be made alive.

23 But each one in their own order: Christ the first-fruits, after that those who are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when he has put an end to all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, until he has put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

27 Because “He has put everything under his feet.” But when he says, “Everything is put under him,” it's obvious that he who put everything under him is the exception.

28 And when everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to him who put everything under him, that God may be all in all.

Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will those who are baptized for the dead do, if the dead do not rise at all? Then why are they baptized for the dead?

30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?

31 Yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If, humanly speaking, I have fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what profit is that to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let's eat and drink, because tomorrow we die!”

33 Don't be deceived: “Bad companionships corrupt good moral behavior.”

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; because some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

The Glorious Resurrection Body

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what kind of body do they come?”

36 Foolish one, what you sow does not come to life, unless it dies.

37 And what you sow, you do not sow the body of that which will be, but a mere grain; perhaps wheat or of some other plant:

38 But God gives it a body as it pleases him, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is indeed a different kind of flesh of human beings, and another flesh of animals, and another of fish, and another of birds. 

40 There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies: but there's a different glory of the heavenly, and a different glory of the earthly.

41 There's one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for star differs from star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It's sown in corruption; it's raised in incorruptibility:

43 It's sown in dishonor; it's raised in glory: it's sown in weakness; it's raised in power:

44 It's sown as a natural body; it's raised as a spiritual body. There's a natural body, and there's a spiritual body.

45 And so it's written, “The first man Adam became a living soul.” But the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual was not first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.

47 The first man was from the earth, made of dust: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and just as the heavenly man is, so also will be those who are heavenly.

49 And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man.

Our Final Victory

50 Now this I say, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's Kingdom; neither can corruption inherit incorruptibility.

51 Behold, I tell you a secret mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet: because the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised to incorruptibility, and we will be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruptibility, and this mortal has put on immortality, then the saying which is written will take place, “Death is swallowed up in victory!

55 O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work; knowing that in the Lord, your hard work is not for nothing. [Literally, empty.]

1 Corinthians 16

The Collection for God's Holy People

1 Now concerning the collection for God's holy people: as I directed the congregations of Galatia, so you also are to do.

2 On the first day of the week let each of you lay something aside, storing it up as they may prosper, that when I come there may be no collections.

3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters, I will send to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

4 But if it seems appropriate for me to also go, they can travel with me.

Paul's Personal Plans

5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia, for I'm passing through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will stay and winter with you, that you may send me on my journey when I leave.

7 Because right now, I do not want to see you in passing; for I plan to stay with you for a while, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 Because a great and effective door has opened to me, but there are many adversaries.

10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he doesn't have anything to fear while he's with you; because he's doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.

11 Therefore let no one despise him; but send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; because I (along with the other brothers and sisters) am waiting for him.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to go to you, with the brothers and sisters; but he was quite unwilling to go at this time; however, he will come to you when he has a convenient time.

Paul's Final Exhortations

13 Be on your guard, stand fast in the faith, act like a man, be strong!

14 Let everything that you do, be done with love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Greece, and they have devoted themselves to the service of those who are holy. Brothers and sisters, I urge you,

16 That you also submit yourselves to such as these, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

17 I'm glad about the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: because they have supplied that which was lacking on your part,

18 For they have refreshed both my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

Final Greetings

19 The congregations of Asia embrace you. Aquila and Priscilla embraces you heartily in the Lord, with the congregation that is in their house.

20 All of the brothers and sisters embrace you. Embrace one another with a holy kiss.

21 This greeting is from me, with my own hand, Paul.

22 If anyone doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, let them be accursed! O Lord, come!

23 The gracious favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you!

24 My love is with all of you, in Christ Jesus!

Amen! (Indeed!)