Living as God Called You

¹⁷ But as God has given to every man and as the Lord has called every man, so let him walk. This I command in all churches. ¹⁸ Is any man called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything. ²⁰ Let each man remain in the same condition in which he was called.

²¹ Were you called while a servant? Do not worry about it. But if you may become free, do so. ²² For he who is called in the Lord while a servant is the Lord’s freeman. Likewise, he who is called while free is Christ’s servant. ²³ You were bought at a price. Do not be the servants of men. ²⁴ Brothers, let every man, in whatever condition he is called, remain there with God.

The Unmarried and Widows

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord. Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. ²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. ²⁷ Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be uncommitted. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸ But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless they will have trouble in this life, but I would spare you that.

²⁹ But this I say, brothers, the time is short. It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none; ³⁰ those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; those who buy, as though they possessed nothing; ³¹ and those who use this world, as though they did not make full use of it. For the form of this world is passing away.

³² But I prefer that you have no concern. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. ³³ But he who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. ³⁴ There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ If any man thinks that he is behaving improperly toward his virgin,^[a] and if she is past the flower of her youth, and passions so require, let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let them marry. ³⁷ Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart without necessity, and has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. ³⁸ So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who gives her not in marriage does better.

³⁹ The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But in my judgment she is happier if she so remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God.

Food Offered to Idols

8 Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies. ² So if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. ³ But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

⁴ So concerning the eating of foods that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. ⁵ For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords. ⁶ But for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

⁷ However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled. ⁸ But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

⁹ But take heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol’s temple, shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols, ¹¹ and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? ¹² When you thus sin against the brothers, wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.

The Rights of an Apostle

9 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 indeed I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

³ This is my answer to those who examine me. ⁴ Do we have no right to eat and to drink? ⁵ Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife as do other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? ⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

⁷ Who goes to war at any time at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, but does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, but does not drink of the flock’s milk? ⁸ Do I say these things as a man? Or does the law not say the same thing also? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox while it treads out the grain.”^[b] Is God concerned about oxen? ¹⁰ Or does He say it completely for our sake? For our sake, no doubt, this is written so that he who plows should plow in hope, and that he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope. ¹¹ If we have sown for you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your material things? ¹² If others partake of this right over you, should not we instead?

Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but suffer all things, lest we might hinder the gospel of Christ.

¹³ Do you not know that those who minister unto holy things live from the things of the temple? And do you not know that those who wait at the altar partake of the altar? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

¹⁵ But I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that it should be so done to me. For it would be better for me to die than allow anyone to make my boasting void. ¹⁶ Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for the requirement is laid upon me. Yes, woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ So if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a commission. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? Truly that when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, so that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

¹⁹ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself servant to all, that I might win even more. ²⁰ To the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are outside the law, as outside the law (being not without God’s law, but under Christ’s law) that I might win those who are outside the law. ²² To the weak, I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ²³ This I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might partake of it with you.

²⁴ Do you not know that all those who run in a race run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Everyone who strives for the prize exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. ²⁶ So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Warning Against Idolatry

10 I would not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ all ate the same spiritual food; ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. ⁵ But with many of them God was not well pleased, and they were overthrown in the wilderness.

⁶ Now these things were our examples to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they lusted. ⁷ Neither be idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel.”^{[c] 8} Neither let us commit sexual immorality as some of them committed, when twenty-three thousand fell in one day. ⁹ Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed by serpents. ¹⁰ Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured and were destroyed by the destroyer.

¹¹ Now all these things happened to them for examples. They are written as an admonition to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. ¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

¹⁴ So, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men. Judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷ For we, being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread.

¹⁸ Consider Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? ¹⁹ What am I saying then, that the idol is anything or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? ²⁰ But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not 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 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Do All to the Glory of God

²³ “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

²⁵ Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no question for the sake of conscience, ²⁶ for “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^[d]

²⁷ If any of those who do not believe invite you to a feast, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for the sake of conscience. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, “This was offered in sacrifice to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of him that mentioned it and for the sake of conscience, for “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^{[e] 29} Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. ³² Give no offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God, ³³ just as I try to please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

11 Follow me as I follow Christ.

Covering the Head in Worship

² I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions as I delivered them to you. ³ But I would have you know that the head of the woman is the man, the head of every man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying having his head covered dishonors his head, ⁵ but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is the same as if she were shaved. ⁶ For if the woman is not covered, let her also cut off her hair. But if it is a shame for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved, let her be covered.

⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. ⁸ The man is not from the woman, but the woman from the man. ⁹ The man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. ¹⁰ For this reason the woman ought to have a veil of authority over her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. ¹² For just as the woman came from the man, so the man comes through the woman, but all things come from God.

¹³ Judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God uncovered? ¹⁴ Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair it is a shame to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given her for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor have the churches of God.

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

¹⁷ Now in what I have to say to you, I do not praise you. You have come together not for the better, but for the worse. ¹⁸ First of all, when you come together as the church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For there must also be factions among you so that those who are genuine may become evident among you. ²⁰ Therefore when you come together into one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. ²¹ For in eating, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. One goes hungry, and another becomes drunk. ²² What? Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

The Lord’s Supper^(A)

²³ I have received of the Lord that which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread. ²⁴ When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take and eat. This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”^{[f] 25} In the same manner He took the cup after He had supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”^{[g] 26} As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

²⁷ Therefore whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. ³⁰ For this reason many are weak and unhealthy among you, and many die. ³¹ If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we would not be condemned with the world.

³³ So, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone hungers, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together into condemnation.

I will set the rest in order when I come.

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. ² You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed!” And no one can say, “Jesus is the Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are various gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are various operations, but it is the same God who operates all of them in all people.

⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for the common good. ⁸ To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But that one and very same Spirit works all these, dividing to each one individually as He will.

One Body With Many Members

¹² For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the many parts of that one body are one body, so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ The body is not one part, but many.

¹⁵ If the foot says, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But now God has established the parts, every one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ So there are many parts, yet one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those parts of the body which we think are less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor. And our less respectable parts are treated with much more respect, ²⁴ whereas our more respectable parts have no need of this. But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that the parts should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and members individually. ²⁸ God has put these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly covet the greater gifts.

Love

Yet I show you a more excellent way.

13 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, ⁵ does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect shall pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I also am known.

¹³ So now abide faith, hope, and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love.

Tongues and Prophecy

14 Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ² For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him, although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification and exhortation and comfort. ⁴ He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I desire that you all speak in tongues, but even more that you prophesy. For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.

⁶ Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation or knowledge or prophesying or doctrine? ⁷ Even when things without life give sound, whether flute or harp, how will it be known what is played unless they give a distinction in the sounds? ⁸ If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? ⁹ So also you, unless with the tongue you speak words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you shall speak into the air. ¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. ¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the speech, I shall be a barbarian to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a barbarian to me. ¹² So, seeing that you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.

¹³ Let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise, when you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the unlearned say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say? ¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all. ¹⁹ Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

²⁰ Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; rather be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹ In the law it is written:

²² So tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers. But prophesying does not serve unbelievers, but believers. ²³ Therefore if the whole church assembles in one place and all speak with tongues, and those who are unlearned or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? ²⁴ But if all prophesy and there comes in one who does not believe or one unlearned, he is convinced by all and judged by all. ²⁵ Thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. And so falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

All Things to Be Done in Order

²⁶ How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, and an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him remain silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. ³⁰ If anything is revealed to another that sits by, let the first keep silent. ³¹ For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. ³² The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ³³ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

³⁴ Let your women remain silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak. They are commanded to be under obedience, as the law also says. ³⁵ If they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

³⁶ What? Did the word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only? ³⁷ If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord. ³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Therefore, brothers, eagerly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which you have received, and in which you stand. ² Through it you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve. ⁶ Then He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain to this present time, though some have passed away. ⁷ Then He was seen by James and then by all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, He was seen by me also, as by one born at the wrong time.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am. And His grace toward me was not in vain. I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen. ¹⁴ If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷ If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For He “has put all things under His feet.”^[i] But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

²⁹ Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? ³⁰ And why do we stand in danger every hour? ³¹ I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. ³² If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me if the dead do not rise?

³³ Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” ³⁴ Awake to righteousness and do not sin, for some do not have the knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? With what body do they come?” ³⁶ You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. ³⁸ Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh. There is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies. The glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. One star differs from another star in glory.

⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written, “The first man Adam was made a living soul.”^[k] The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ However, that which is spiritual is not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second man was the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so are those who are of dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then the saying that is written shall come to pass: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”^[l]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The Contribution for the Saints

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given instruction to the churches of Galatia, so even you must do. ² On the first day of the week let every one of you lay in store, as God has prospered him, so that no collections be made when I come. ³ And when I come, I will send whomever you approve with your letters to take your generous gifts to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Paul’s Plans for Travel

⁵ Now I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia. For I will pass through Macedonia. ⁶ It may be that I will remain, of course, and spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now in passing. Instead, I trust to remain a while with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰ Now if Timothy comes, see that he may remain with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹ Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, that he may come to me. I am expecting him with the brothers.

¹² As for our brother Apollos, I greatly wanted him to come to you with the brothers. But he was not willing at all to come at this time. However, he will come when he has a convenient time.

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be bold like men, and be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

¹⁵ You know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints. So I ask you, brothers, ¹⁶ that you submit yourselves to such people, and to everyone who helps and labors with us. ¹⁷ I am happy about the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for they supplied what was lacking on your part. ¹⁸ They have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge these men.

Final Request and Greetings

¹⁹ The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰ All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, O Lord!

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Thanksgiving After Affliction

³ Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective in enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that as you partake in the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

⁸ For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant of our troubles which came to us in Asia. We were pressured beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ We had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He delivered us from so great a death and does deliver us. In Him we trust that He will still deliver us, ¹¹ as you help together by praying for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many persons.

Paul’s Travel Plans Change

¹² For our rejoicing is this: The testimony of our conscience is that we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God. ¹³ For we write nothing else to you than what you read or understand. And I trust you will understand even to the end, ¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, that we are yours, boasting even as you are ours on the day of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁵ In this confidence I planned to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit: ¹⁶ to visit you while going to Macedonia, and to come again to you from Macedonia, and then be sent by you on my way to Judea. ¹⁷ Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do this lightly? Or the things that I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, so that I would tell you “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

¹⁸ But as God is true, we did not tell you “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by Silas, Timothy, and me, was not “Yes” and “No.” In Him it was “Yes.” ²⁰ For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen,” to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and established the guarantee with the Spirit in our hearts.

²³ Moreover I call God as a witness upon my soul, that it is to spare you that I have not yet gone to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for by faith you stand.

2 But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. ² For if I make you sorrowful, who then will there be to make me rejoice, but the one whom I have made sorrowful? ³ I wrote concerning this matter to you, so that when I came, I would not be grieved by those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is your joy. ⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

⁵ But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but to some extent all of you, not to put it too severely. ⁶ This punishment which was inflicted by many on such a man is sufficient. ⁷ So on the contrary, you ought to forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps he might be swallowed up with excessive sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I ask you to confirm your love toward him. ⁹ For to this end I also wrote, so that I might know that you are proving yourselves by whether you are being obedient in all things. ¹⁰ Whomever you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if I forgave someone anything, for your sakes I forgave it in Christ, ¹¹ lest Satan should take advantage of us. For we are not ignorant of his devices.

Paul’s Anxiety in Troas

¹² Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, ¹³ I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother. So taking my leave of them, I went from there into Macedonia.

¹⁴ Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God a sweet fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who perish. ¹⁶ To the one we are the fragrance of death, which brings death, and to the other the fragrance of life, which brings life. Who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not as many are who peddle the word of God. Instead, being sent by God, we sincerely speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Ministers of the New Covenant

3 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, letters of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? ² You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men. ³ For you are prominently declared to be the letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on human tablets of the heart.

⁴ We have such trust through Christ toward God, ⁵ not that we are sufficient in ourselves to take credit for anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, ⁶ who has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

⁷ If the ministry that brought death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, the glory which was to fade away, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? ⁹ For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds it in glory. ¹⁰ Even that which was made glorious had no glory in comparison to the glory that excels. ¹¹ For if that which fades was glorious, that which remains is much more glorious.

¹² Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak with great boldness, ¹³ not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end of what was fading away. ¹⁴ Instead, their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away with in Christ. ¹⁵ But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts. ¹⁶ Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, seeing the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy we have received, we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced the secret things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by expressing the truth and commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost. ⁴ The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, the excellency of the power being from God and not from ourselves. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ and always carrying around in the body the death of the Lord Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be expressed in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that also the life of Jesus might be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death works in us, but life in you.

¹³ We have the same spirit of faith. As it is written, “I believed, and therefore I have spoken.”^[n] So we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us through Jesus and will present us with you. ¹⁵ All these things are for your sakes, so that the abundant grace through the thanksgiving of many might overflow to the glory of God.

Living by Faith

¹⁶ For this reason we do not lose heart: Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ Our light affliction, which lasts but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5 We know that if our earthly house, this tent, were to be destroyed, we have an eternal building of God in the heavens, a house not made with hands. ² In this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be sheltered with our house which is from heaven. ³ Thus being sheltered, we shall not be found unsheltered. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has created us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ Instead, I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. ⁹ So whether present or absent, we labor that we may be accepted by Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his recompense in the body, according to what he has done, whether it was good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust we are also revealed in your consciences. ¹² For we are not commending ourselves again to you. Instead, we give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart. ¹³ If we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge: that if one died for all, then all have died. ¹⁵ And He died for all, that those who live should not from now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

¹⁶ So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh. Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not regard Him as such from now on. ¹⁷ Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We implore you in Christ’s stead: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

6 As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ² For He says:

Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.

³ We give no offense in anything, that our service may not be blamed. ⁴ But in all things we commend ourselves as servants of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in hunger; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, ⁷ by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we live; as punished, but not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

¹¹ O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you; our heart is opened wide. ¹² You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. ¹³ In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

¹⁷ Therefore,

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

² Accept us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, and we have defrauded no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, so that we would die or live with you. ⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is my boasting of you. I am filled with comfort, and I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

⁵ For when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, and we were troubled on every side. On the outside were conflicts; on the inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us through the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, when he told us about your sincere desire, your mourning, and your zeal toward me, so that I rejoiced even more.

⁸ Though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I perceive that this same letter has caused you sorrow, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorrowful in a godly way, that you might not suffer loss in any way through us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death. ¹¹ For observe this very thing, which you sorrowed in a godly way: What carefulness it produced in you, what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what intense desire, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In all things you have proven yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² So though I wrote to you, I did it not because of him who had done the wrong, nor because of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might be evident to you. ¹³ Therefore we were comforted in your comfort.

Yes, and we were exceedingly the more joyful for the sake of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. ¹⁴ So I am not ashamed if I have boasted of anything to him regarding you. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even our boasting in the presence of Titus is found to be true. ¹⁵ Now his affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. ¹⁶ Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

Liberal Giving

8 Moreover, brothers, we want you to experience the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, ² how in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed toward the riches of their generous giving. ³ For I bear record that according to their means, and beyond their means, they freely gave, ⁴ begging us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of ministering to the saints. ⁵ This they did, not as we expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. ⁶ So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this gracious deed for you. ⁷ But as you abound in everything—in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us—see that you abound in this grace also.

⁸ I say this not as a command, but to prove through the authenticity of others, the sincerity also of your love. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that through His poverty you might be rich.

¹⁰ And in this matter I give my advice. It is appropriate for you, who began last year not only to give, but also to willingly give. ¹¹ Now therefore complete the task, so that, as there was a willingness to do so, there may be a performance of it according to your means. ¹² For if there is a willing mind first, the gift is accepted according to what a man possesses and not according to what he does not possess.

¹³ I do not mean that other men have relief, and you be burdened, ¹⁴ but for equality, that your abundance now at this time may supply their need, and their abundance may supply your need—that there may be equality. ¹⁵ As it is written, “He who gathered much had no excess. And he who gathered little had no lack.”^[s]

¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who placed the same sincere care in the heart of Titus for you. ¹⁷ For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more zealous, he went to you of his own accord. ¹⁸ And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches. ¹⁹ And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which we administer to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your willing mind, ²⁰ to prevent any man from blaming us in administering this abundant gift, ²¹ providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

²² Furthermore, we have sent with them our brother whom we have frequently proved diligent in many things, but now is much more diligent, due to the great confidence which he has in you. ²³ If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you. Or if our brothers are inquired about, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

The Offering for the Saints

9 It is redundant for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints. ² I know your willingness, for which I boast of you to those in Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³ Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you might be in vain in this case, that, as I said, you may be ready; ⁴ and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. ⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers to go ahead to you and arrange beforehand your bountiful gift you previously promised, that it might be prepared as a gift, not as a matter of greed.

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Let every man give according to the purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. ¹¹ So you will be enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.

¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry, they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others. ¹⁴ And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

Paul Defends His Ministry

10 Now I, Paul, who am lowly in presence among you but bold toward you while absent, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. ² I beg you that when I am present, I might not have to be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, ⁵ casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

⁷ Do you look at things from the outward appearance? If any man trusts that he is Christ’s, let him consider again that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. ⁸ For even if I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed, ⁹ lest I appear to frighten you by my letters. ¹⁰ “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this: that as we are in word by letters when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present.

¹² For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. They who measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another are not wise. ¹³ But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the boundaries which God has appointed us, which reach even you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not reach you, since we have come to you, preaching the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ We are not boasting of things beyond our measure in other men’s labors. But we have hope that when your faith is increased, our region shall be greatly enlarged by you, ¹⁶ to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another man’s accomplishments. ¹⁷ But, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”^{[u] 18} For it is not he who commends himself who is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly. Indeed, bear with me. ² For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ. ⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might submit to it readily enough.

⁵ For I think I am not in any way inferior to the most eminent of the apostles. ⁶ Even though I am unpolished in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. All things about us have been thoroughly revealed to you. ⁷ Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches by accepting wages from them to serve you. ⁹ Furthermore, when I was present with you and was lacking, I was a burden to no one. For the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I lacked. In all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.

¹² And I will continue doing what I am doing, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found equal to us in what they boast about. ¹³ For such are false apostles and deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.