Bible in 90 Days

The infirmity and frailness of the weak should be borne with all love and kindness, after the example of Christ.

15 We who are strong ought to bear the frailness of those who are weak, and not to stand in our own understanding. ² Let everyone please his neighbour for his wellbeing and encouragement. ³ Christ did not please himself, but, as it is written: The rebukes of those who rebuked you, fell on me. ⁴ The things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, so that we, through patience and comfort from the scripture, might have hope.

⁵ May the God of patience and consolation grant to every one of you to have such a mind towards one another, after the example of Christ Jesus, ⁶ in order that you all, in harmony together, may with one mouth praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus. ⁷ So then, receive one another as Christ received us, to the glory of God.

⁸ And I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers. ⁹ And let the Gentiles praise God for his mercy, as it is written: For this cause I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing in your name. ¹⁰ And again he says: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people! ¹¹ And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud him, all nations! ¹² And in another place Isaiah says: The root of Jesse is to come, he who will rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may be rich in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁴ I myself am confident of you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, and filled with all knowledge, and are able to exhort one another. ¹⁵ Nevertheless, brethren, I have somewhat boldly written to you, as one who puts you in mind through the grace that is given to me by God ¹⁶ to be the minister of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles, and to minister the glad tidings of God so that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ I have therefore something I can make claim to in Christ Jesus, in those things that pertain to God. ¹⁸ For I shrink to speak of anything Christ has not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, with word and deed, ¹⁹ in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and the coasts round about to Illyricum, I have filled all countries with the glad tidings of Christ. ²⁰ Thus have I exerted myself to preach the gospel – not where Christ was already named, lest I should have built on another man’s foundation, ²¹ but as it is written: People who have not been told of him, they will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

²² For this cause I have often been prevented from going to you all. ²³ But now, seeing I have no more to do in these countries, and also having wanted for many years to go to you, ²⁴ when I take my journey into Spain, I will go to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and that you will help me on my way after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

²⁵ Now I am going to Jerusalem, to minister to the saints. ²⁶ For it has pleased the people of Macedonia and Achaia to send aid to the poor saints at Jerusalem. ²⁷ It has genuinely pleased them. And they are their debtors, for if the Gentiles are made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is to minister to them in carnal things. ²⁸ When I have completed this, and have brought them this fruit sealed, I will come back again by you on my way into Spain. ²⁹ And I am sure that when I come, I will come with an abundance of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

³⁰ I beseech you, brethren, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, to help me in my concerns, with your prayers to God for me, ³¹ that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that this my service to Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints, ³² so that I may come to you with joy, by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. ³³ The God of peace be with you. Amen.

A chapter of greetings. He warns them to beware of false teachers who bring men’s doctrine, and commends to them certain godly men and women who were friends and brethren in the truth.

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who ministered to the congregation of Cenchrea. ² Receive her in the Lord as is worthy of a saint, and assist her in whatever way she needs your help. For she has assisted many, including me.

³ Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who have for my life laid down their own necks – to whom not only I give thanks, but also the congregation of the Gentiles. ⁵ Likewise, greet the congregation that is in their house.

Greet my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruit among those of Achaia. ⁶ Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour upon us.

⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, who were prisoners with me also, who are well regarded among the apostles, and were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, tried and true in Christ. Greet those of Aristobulus’ household. ¹¹ Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

¹² Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, which women did labour in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who laboured much in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, also a mother to me. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. The congregations of Christ send greetings to you.

¹⁷ I beseech you, brethren, to mark those who cause division and give occasion to evil, contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For such people do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own interests, and with sweet preaching and flattering words deceive the hearts of the simple and unlearned. ¹⁹ For your duty to listen extends to all men. Without question I am pleased with you, but still, I want you to be wise in that which is good, and to be innocent concerning evil.

²⁰ May the God of peace tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

²¹ Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen, greet you. ²² I, Tertius, who wrote this letter in the Lord, greet you. ²³ Gaius, my host and the host of all the congregations, greets you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city, greets you. And Quartus, a brother, greets you. ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

²⁵ Now to him who is of power to establish you by my gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ, whereby is revealed the mystery that was kept secret since the world began, ²⁶ but now is shown by the scriptures of prophecy, at the commandment of the everlasting God, to stir up obedience to the faith proclaimed among all nations – ²⁷ to the same God, who alone is wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

To the Romans. Sent from Corinth by
the hand of Phoebe, she who
ministered to the
congregation at
Cenchrea.

He recalls God’s grace to the Corinthians, exhorts them to be of one mind, and rebukes the division that was among them. The wisdom of the world is foolishness before God; yea, there is no wisdom but in the despised cross of God.

1 Paul, by calling an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and brother Sosthenes.

² To the congregation of God which is at Corinth. To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

³ Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I thank my God always in your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ – ⁵ that in all things you are made rich by him, in all learning and in all knowledge, ⁶ even as the testimony of Jesus Christ was confirmed in you, ⁷ so that you are behind in no gift, and wait for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For God is faithful, by whom you are called to the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹⁰ I beseech you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to all speak one thing, and that there be no dissension among you, but be knit together in one mind and in one purpose. ¹¹ It is reported to me about you, my brethren, by those who are of the house of Chloe, that there is strife among you. ¹² And this is what I mean: that commonly among you one says, I hold to Paul; another, I hold to Apollos; the third, I hold to Cephas; the fourth, I hold to 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 christened none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. ¹⁶ (I baptized also the household of Stephanas. Beyond this, I do not remember if I baptized anyone or not.)

¹⁷ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel – not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should have been made of no effect. ¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will cast away the understanding of the learned. ²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this world? Has not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?

²¹ For when the world through wisdom did not know God, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. ²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. ²³ But we preach Christ crucified: to the Jews an occasion of falling, and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both of the Jews and the Greeks, we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ Brethren, look on your calling, how it is that not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of high degree, are called. ²⁷ But 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 things which are strong. ²⁸ And low things of the world, and things which are despised, God has chosen, yea and things of no reputation, to bring to nothing things of reputation, ²⁹ so that no flesh may glory in his presence. ³⁰ And to him you belong in Christ Jesus, who by God is made wisdom to us, and also righteousness and sanctifying and redemption, ³¹ so that as it is written, he who glories will glory in the Lord.

It is not eloquence and glorious painted words of worldly wisdom that can edify and convert souls to Christ, but the plain words of the scripture. For they tell of him and his cross.

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in gloriousness of words or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² Nor did I show myself to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ³ And I was among you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴ And my words and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ so that your faith would not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

⁶ That which we speak of is wisdom among those who are sound: not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world (who come to nothing), ⁷ but we speak the wisdom of God, which is in secret and lies hid, which God ordained before the world for our glory. ⁸ Which wisdom none of the rulers of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. ⁹ But as it is written: The eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for those who love him.

¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the bottom of God’s secrets. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of a man which is within him? In the same way, the things of God are known by no man, but by the Spirit of God. ¹² And we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes of God, in order to know the things that are given to us by God – ¹³ which things also we speak, not in the wise words of man’s wisdom, but with the wise words of the Holy Spirit, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things. ¹⁴ For the natural man does not perceive the things of the Spirit of God. For they are but foolishness to him. Nor can he perceive them, because they are spiritually examined. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual evaluates all things. Yet he himself is judged by no man. ¹⁶ For who knows the mind of the Lord, or who shall inform him? But we understand the mind of Christ.

Paul rebukes the sects, and authors of sects. Christ is the foundation of his church. We must take heed how we build on this foundation. No one ought to glory in men, but in God.

3 And I could not speak to you brethren as to spiritual people, but as to carnal; even, as it were, to babes in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, and not meat. For you were not strong then, no, neither are you yet. ³ For you are yet carnal. For as long as there is among you envying, strife, and dissension, are you not carnal, and walking after the manner of men? ⁴ As long as one says, I hold to Paul, and another, I’m for Apollos, are you not carnal? ⁵ What is Paul? What is Apollos? Only ministers they are, by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave grace to each one. ⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then, neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ⁸ He who plants and he who waters are neither better than the other. Each will receive his reward according to his labours.

⁹ We are God’s labourers. You are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. ¹⁰ By the grace of God given to me, as a wise builder I have laid the foundation, and another built on it. But let everyone take heed how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² And whether anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble, ¹³ his work will be seen for what it is. For the day will reveal it, and it will be shown in fire. And the fire shall try every person’s work, what it is. ¹⁴ If what someone has built remains, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work burns, he will suffer loss; but he will be saved himself, nevertheless yet as it were through fire.

¹⁶ Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. ¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself.

If any man seems wise among you, let him be a fool in this world so that he may be wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: He compasses the wise in their craftiness. ²⁰ And again: God knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

²¹ Therefore, let no one glory in men. For all things are yours – ²² whether it be Paul or Apollos or Cephas, whether it be the world or life or death, whether they be things present or things to come. All are yours, ²³ and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Those who preach are but servants. Judgment belongs to God only.

4 Let people esteem us this way: as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God. ² Furthermore, it is required of the stewards that they be found faithful. ³ With me it is but a very small thing if I am judged by you, or by man’s day. No, I do not judge my own self. ⁴ I know nothing against myself, yet I am not thereby justified. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will shed light on things that are hid in darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. And then shall each have praise from God.

⁶ Brethren, I have explained these things with reference to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that you might learn from us: so that no one accounts of himself beyond what is written above, so that no one swells against another for any man’s cause. ⁷ For who prefers you? What do you have that was not given to you? If you have received it, why do you glory as though you had not received it? ⁸ Now you are full, now you are made rich; you reign as kings without us. And I would to God you did reign, so that we might reign with you.

⁹ It seems to me that God has set forth us who are apostles as the lowest of all – men appointed to death, as it were. For we are a gazing stock to the world, and to the angels, and to men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise through Christ. We are weak, and you are strong. You are honourable, and we are dishonoured. ¹¹ Even to this day we both hunger and thirst, and are clothed in rags, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain dwelling place, ¹² and labour, working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it. ¹³ We are ill spoken of, and we pray. We are made as if the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things, even to this time.

¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ So then, I want you to follow me. ¹⁷ For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my dear son and faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways, which I have in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in all congregations.

¹⁸ Some swell, as though I will not be coming to you any more. ¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if God so wills, and will know not the words of those who swell, but the power. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power. ²¹ What would you have? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and in the spirit of gentleness?

How Paul curses the man who committed fornication with his stepmother.

5 There is a report abroad that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not once named among the Gentiles: that a man should have his father’s wife. ² And you swell, and have not rather sorrowed, so that he who has done this deed might be put out from among you. ³ For indeed I, as absent in body yet present in spirit, have determined already (as though I were present) concerning him who has done this thing, ⁴ in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵ to deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

⁶ Your complacency is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven sours the whole lump of dough? ⁷ Purge therefore the old leaven, so that you may be new dough, as you are sweet bread. For Christ our Passover lamb is offered up for us. ⁸ Therefore let us keep holy day – not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of immorality and wickedness, but with the sweet bread of pureness and truth.

⁹ I wrote to you in an epistle that you should not keep company with fornicators. ¹⁰ And I did not at all mean the fornicators of this world, or the covetous, or swindlers, or idolaters, because then you would need to go out of the world. ¹¹ But now I write to you not to keep company together with anyone called a brother who is a fornicator, or covetous, or a worshipper of images, or a railer, or a drunkard, or a swindler. With such a one, see that you do not eat. ¹² For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are within? ¹³ Those who are without, God will judge. Put away from among you that evil person.

He rebukes them for going to law against each other before the heathen, and reproves uncleanness.

6 How dare one of you, having a problem with another, go to law under the unrighteous, and not rather under the saints? ² Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world will be judged by you, are you not good enough to judge small trifles? ³ Do you not know that we will judge the angels? How much more may we judge things that pertain to this life? ⁴ If you have trials of worldly matters, take those who are least esteemed in the congregation and make them judges. ⁵ This I say to your shame. Is there really no wise man among you? What, no one at all who can judge between brother and brother? ⁶ But one brother goes to law against another, and that under the unbelievers?

⁷ Now therefore there is utterly a failing among you, because you go to law one with another. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather suffer yourselves to be robbed? ⁸ Nay, you yourselves do wrong, and rob – and that the brethren.

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. For neither fornicators, nor worshippers of images, nor whoremongers, nor effeminates, nor abusers of themselves with the male sex, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor cursed speakers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you. But you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified by the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

¹² All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable. I may do all things, but I will be brought under no man’s power. ¹³ Foods are for the belly, and the belly for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Let not the body be given to fornication, but to the Lord, and the Lord to the body. ¹⁴ God has raised up the Lord, and will raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Or do you not consider that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I now take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. ¹⁶ Do you not understand that he who couples himself with a harlot has become one body with her? For two (says he) shall be one flesh. ¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

¹⁸ Flee fornication. All sins that a man does are outside the body, but he who is a fornicator sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have of God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you are dearly bought. Therefore glorify God in your bodies and in your spirits, for they are God’s.

Of marriage, virginity, and widowhood.

7 As for the things you wrote to me about: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. ² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his wife, and let every woman have her husband. ³ Let the man give due affection to his wife; likewise also the wife to the man. ⁴ The wife does not have right over her own body, but the husband, and likewise the husband does not have right over his own body, but the wife. ⁵ Do not withdraw yourselves one from another, unless it be with consent for a time to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And afterward, come again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you through your lack of self control.

⁶ This I say by way of concession, and not of commandment. ⁷ For I would that all men were as I myself am. But every one has his own gift from God – one of this kind, another of that. ⁸ I say to the unmarried men and widows that it is good for them if they remain just as I do. ⁹ But if they cannot abstain, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ To the married command not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not separate herself from the man. ¹¹ But if she separates herself, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband again. And let not the husband put his wife away from him.

¹² To the rest I, and not the Lord, speak. If any brother has a wife who does not believe, if she is content to dwell with him, let him not put her away. ¹³ And the woman who has an unbelieving husband, if he consents to dwell with her, let her not put him away. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean; but now they are pure. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not bound to such. God has called us in peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, O woman, whether you will save that man or not? Or how do you know, O man, whether you will save that woman or not? – ¹⁷ but even as God has granted to each.

As the Lord has called every person, so let him walk; and I so ordain in all the congregations. ¹⁸ If a man is called when circumcised, let him add nothing to it. If a man is called when uncircumcised, let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything. ²⁰ Let every person abide in the same state in which he was called. ²¹ Are you called when a servant? Care not for it. But if you may be free, avail yourself of it rather. ²² For he who is called in the Lord when a servant, is the Lord’s free man. Likewise, he who is called when free is Christ’s servant. ²³ You are dearly bought; do not be men’s servants. ²⁴ Brethren, let each, in whatever state he is called, abide therein with God.

²⁵ Concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord, yet I give counsel as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. ²⁶ I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For it is good for a man so to be.

²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Seek not to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸ But if you take a wife, you do not sin. Likewise, if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Nevertheless, the married will have trouble in their flesh. But I make allowance for you.

²⁹ This I say, brethren: the time is short. It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none, ³⁰ and those who weep should be as though they wept not, and those who rejoice should be as though they did not rejoice. And those who buy should be as though they did not possess, ³¹ and those who are occupied in this world should be as not consumed in it. For the fashion of this world is passing away.

³² I would have you be without preoccupation. The single man 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 virgin and a wife. The single woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ This I say for your profit – not to tangle you in a snare, but for that which is fitting and agreeable for you, and so that you may quietly cleave unto the Lord without hindrance.

³⁶ If any man thinks that it is not best for his virgin, if she is passing the time of marriage and if need so requires, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them be coupled in marriage. ³⁷ Nevertheless, he who purposes surely in his heart, having no need, but has power over his own will, and has thus determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. ³⁸ So then, he who joins his virgin in marriage does well, but he who does not join his virgin in marriage does better.

³⁹ The wife is bound to the law as long as her husband lives. If her husband sleeps, she is at liberty to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my judgment. And I think indeed that I have the Spirit of God.

He rebukes those who use their freedom to the detriment of others, and shows how people ought to behave towards the weak.

8 Now to speak of things dedicated to idols. We are sure that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes a man swell, but love edifies. ² If anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. ³ But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.

⁴ To speak of meat dedicated to idols: we are sure that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. ⁵ And though there be what are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many and lords many), ⁶ yet to us there is but one God, who is the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. ⁷ But not everyone has knowledge. For some still suppose that an idol really is something, and eat a thing as offered to the idol, and so their consciences, still being weak, are defiled.

⁸ Meat does not make us acceptable to God. We are neither the better if we eat, nor the worse if we do not. ⁹ But take heed that your liberty does not cause the weak to fall. ¹⁰ For if someone sees you who have knowledge sitting at food in the idol’s temple, might not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things that are offered to the idol? ¹¹ And so through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died. ¹² When you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore if meat hurts my brother, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, because I do not want to hurt my brother.

Love forgoes the thing that she may do according to the law. Paul exhorts them to keep on running in the course that they have begun.

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

³ My answer to those who ask me is this: ⁴ Do we not have the right to eat and to drink? ⁵ Or do we not have the right to have with us a sister as wife, as well as the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? ⁶ Or do only Barnabas and I not have the right to do this?

Who goes to war any time at his own expense? ⁷ Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit? Who feeds a flock, and drinks not of the milk? ⁸ Do I say these things after the manner of men, or does the law not say the same also? ⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses: You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the grain. Is God taking thought for oxen, ¹⁰ or does he say it not altogether for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written, because he who plows should plow in hope, and because he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. ¹¹ If we sow spiritual things unto you, is it a great matter if we reap your carnal things? ¹² If others are partakers of this right over you, why not rather we? Nevertheless, we have not exercised this right, but endure all things, lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

¹³ Do you not understand that those who minister in the temple have their provision from the temple? And those who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? ¹⁴ Likewise also did the Lord ordain that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. ¹⁵ But I have availed myself of none of these things. Neither have I written these things so that it would be done so for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to take this claim from me.

¹⁶ In that I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is put upon me; woe it is to me, if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I do it with a good will, I have a reward. But if I do it against my will, an office is committed to me. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? Truly, that when I preach the gospel, I make the gospel of Christ free: that I do not misuse my authority in the gospel.

¹⁹ For though no man is my master, yet I have made myself a servant to all, so that I might win the more. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, to win the Jews. To those who were under the law, I was as though under the law, to win those who were under the law. ²¹ To those who were without law, I became as though I were without law (when I was not without law as pertaining to God, but under a law as concerning Christ), to win those who were without law. ²² To the weak I became as weak, to win the weak. In all things I fashioned myself to all men, to save at least some. ²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, so that I may have my part in it.

²⁴ Do you not perceive that of those who run in a race, all run, yet but one receives the reward? So run that you may prevail. ²⁵ Athletes who compete discipline themselves in all things. And they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we to obtain an incorruptible crown. ²⁶ I therefore run accordingly: not as at an uncertain thing. I fight accordingly: not as one who beats the air, ²⁷ but I tame my body, and bring it into subjection, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

He puts them in fear with examples from the Old Testament, and exhorts them to lead godly lives. Of the Lord’s Supper.

10 Brethren, I would not want you to be ignorant of this: that our fathers were all under a cloud, and all passed through the sea, ² and were all baptized under Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³ and did all eat of the same spiritual food, ⁴ and did all drink of the same spiritual drink. And they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, which rock was Christ. ⁵ But in many of them, God had no delight. For they were overthrown in the wilderness. ⁶ These are examples for us, so that we will not lust after evil things like they did.

⁷ Neither be worshippers of images like some of them were, as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play. ⁸ Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and in one day 23,000 were destroyed. ⁹ Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. ¹⁰ Neither murmur as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

¹¹ All these things happened to them for examples, and were written to make us mindful – we upon whom the ends of the world have come. ¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.

¹³ No trial has taken you but such as follows the nature of man. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tried above your strength, but will in the midst of the trial make a way to escape out.

¹⁴ And so, my dear beloveds, flee from the worshipping of idols. ¹⁵ I speak as to people who have discernment. Judge what I say. ¹⁶ Is not the cup of blessing that we bless, partaking of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break, partaking of the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because we, though we be many, yet are one bread and one body, inasmuch as we are all partakers of one bread. ¹⁸ Observe Israel which walks carnally; are not those who eat of the sacrifice, partakers of the altar?

¹⁹ What am I saying then? That the idol is anything? or that what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰ No, but I say that these things that the Gentiles offer, they offer to devils, and not to God. And I do not want you to have fellowship with the devils. ²¹ You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and of the cup of the devils. You cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table and of the table of devils. ²² Or shall we provoke the Lord? Are we stronger than he?

All things are lawful to me, but all things are not helpful. ²³ All things are lawful to me, but all things do not edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own profit, but let each seek the welfare of the other. ²⁵ Whatever is sold in the market, eat it, and ask no questions for conscience’ sake. ²⁶ For the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it. ²⁷ If any unbelievers invite you to a feast and if you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, This is dedicated to idols, then do not eat of it – for the sake of the one who told you and for injury of conscience.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.

²⁹ Conscience, I say: not yours, but the conscience of that other. For why should my liberty be judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ For if I share in the meal with thanks, why am I ill spoken of for the thing I give thanks for? ³¹ Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³² See that you give no occasion of evil, neither to the Jews nor yet to the Gentiles, nor to the congregation of God – ³³ even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of many, so that they might be saved. 11 ¹ Follow me, as I do Christ.

He rebukes them for abuse and for disorder concerning the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and brings them again to the first institution.

² I commend you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the observances even as I delivered them to you.

³ I would that you understood that Christ is the head of every man. And the man is the woman’s head. And God is Christ’s head.  ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having anything on his head, dishonours his head. ⁵ Every woman who prays or prophesies bare-headed dishonours her head, for it is one and the very same thing as if she were shaven. ⁶ If the woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. If it is dishonourable for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her cover her head. 

⁷ A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God. The woman is the glory of the man, ⁸ for the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. ⁹ Neither was the man created for the woman’s sake, but the woman for the man’s sake. ¹⁰ For this reason, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head – for the angels’ sakes. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is the man independent of the woman, nor the woman independent of the man in the Lord. ¹² For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man by the woman; but all is of God.

¹³ Judge in yourselves if it is befitting that a woman pray to God bare-headed. ¹⁴ Or does not nature teach you that it is discreditable for a man if he has long hair, ¹⁵ and brings praise to a woman if she has long hair? For her hair is given her to cover her with. ¹⁶ If there is anyone among you who is inclined to argue, let him know that we have no such custom, nor do the congregations of God.

¹⁷ Now this I warn you of and do not commend: that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. ¹⁸ First of all, when you come together in the congregation, I hear that there is dissension among you. And I believe it as to some, ¹⁹ for there must be sects among you, so that those who are sound among you may be known.

²⁰ When you come together, a person cannot eat the Lord’s Supper, ²¹ because everyone begins ahead to eat his own supper. And one is hungry, and another is drunk. ²² Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you think nothing of the congregation of God, and shame those who have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise you.

²³ That which I delivered to you, I received from the Lord. For the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and thanked, and broke, and said, Take ye, and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. This do in the remembrance of me. ²⁵ In the same manner he took the cup when supper was done, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death till he comes. ²⁷ Therefore whosoever eats of this bread or drinks of this cup unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a person therefore examine himself, and thus let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats or drinks unworthily, eats and drinks his own damnation, because he does not discern the Lord’s body. ³⁰ For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. ³¹ If we truly judged ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

³³ Therefore my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you do not come together unto condemnation.

Other things I will set in order when I come.

The diversity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are given for the comfort and edifying of one another, as the members of a person’s body serve one another.

12 In spiritual things, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. ² You know that you were Gentiles, and went your ways to dumb idols even as you were led. ³ Therefore I tell you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God repudiates Jesus. Also, no one can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different gifts indeed, yet but one Spirit. ⁵ And there are different offices, and yet but one Lord. ⁶ And there are different works, and yet but one God, who works all things that are wrought in all creatures. ⁷ The gifts of the Spirit are given to each person to profit the congregation. ⁸ To one is given, through the Spirit, the utterance of wisdom. To another is given the utterance of knowledge by the same Spirit. ⁹ To another is given faith by the same Spirit, to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another power to do miracles, to another prophecy, to another judgment of spirits, to another divers tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ And the very same Spirit works all these, giving to each person particular gifts as he so wills.

¹² For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of a body, though they be many, yet are but one body, even so is Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we are all baptized to make one body – whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free – and we have all drunk of one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many.

¹⁵ If the foot were to say, I am not the hand, therefore I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear said, I am not the eye, therefore I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If all the body were an eye, where would the ear be? If all were hearing, where would the smelling be? ¹⁸ But now God has set the members, every one of them, in the body at his own pleasure. ¹⁹ If they were all one member, where would the body be?

²⁰ Now there are many members, and yet but one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² Yea rather, to a great extent those members of the body that seem to be most feeble, are most necessary. ²³ And those members of the body that we think least presentable, we clothe with more respectability, and our unattractive parts with more beauty. ²⁴ For our respectable members do not need it. But God has thus disposed the body, and has given more honour to that part which lacked, ²⁵ lest there should be any schism in the body, but so that the members will care impartially for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all suffer with him; if one member is had in honour, all members are glad also. ²⁷ You are the body of Christ, and members of one another.

²⁸ And God has also set in the congregation, first the apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then those who do miracles; after that are the gifts of healing, helpers, managers, diversity of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Covet the best gifts. And yet, I show you a more excellent way.

The nature and attributes of love.

13 Though I spoke with the tongues of men and angels, and yet had no love, I would be even as sounding brass, or as a ringing cymbal. ² And though I could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge – yea if I had all faith, so that I could move mountains out of their places – and yet had no love, I would be nothing. ³ And if I bestowed all my goods to feed the poor, and even if I gave my body to be burned, and yet had no love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long, and is kind. Love does not envy. Love is not contrary, does not swell up, ⁵ does not deal dishonourably, seeks not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not take pleasure in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ suffers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures in all things. ⁸ Though prophesying fail, or tongues cease, or knowledge vanish away, yet love never falls away.

⁹ For our knowledge is imperfect, and our prophesying is imperfect. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is imperfect shall be put away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I imagined as a child. But as soon as I was a man, I put away childishness. ¹² Now we see as is reflected to us in a mysterious word, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know imperfectly, but then I shall know even as I am known. ¹³ Now faith, hope, and love, these three things abide, but the chief of these is love.

Paul shows that the gift of prophecy (that is, of interpreting or preaching) excels the gift of languages, and how they both ought to be used.

14 Labour for love, and covet spiritual gifts, and most chiefly to prophesy. ² For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to people, but to God, for no one understands him. However, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks to people, for edifying, for exhortation, and for comfort. ⁴ He who speaks in an unknown tongue, profits himself; he who prophesies, edifies the congregation.

⁵ I would that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied. For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues – unless he expounds it also, so that the congregation may have edifying. ⁶ Now brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I profit you, unless I speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by instruction?

⁷ Moreover, when things without life give sound, whether it be a pipe or a harp, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how can it be known what is piped or harped? ⁸ And also, if the trumpet gives an uncertain call, who will prepare himself to fight? ⁹ So also likewise, when you speak with tongues, unless you speak words that have meaning, how can it be understood what is spoken? For you will be but speaking in the air.

¹⁰ Many kinds of voices are in the world, and none of them are without signification. ¹¹ If I do not know what the voice means, I will be as a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. ¹² So then, since you covet spiritual gifts, seek to have them in plenty for the edifying of the congregation.

¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray such that he may interpret also. ¹⁴ If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding brings no one fruit. ¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and will pray with the meaning also. I will sing with the spirit, and will sing with the meaning also. ¹⁶ For otherwise, when you bless with the spirit, how can the person who is unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say? ¹⁷ You give thanks well, but the other is not edified. ¹⁸ I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all, ¹⁹ yet in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my meaning for the information of others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, do not be children in understanding. As concerning evil, be children, but in understanding be mature. ²¹ In the law it is written: With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and yet for all that, they will not hear me, says the Lord. ²² Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not. On the other hand, prophesying serves not for those who don’t believe, but for those who believe.

²³ If, therefore, when all the congregation has come together and all speak with tongues, there come in people who are unlearned, or those who do not believe, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴ But if all prophesy and there comes in one who does not believe, or one unlearned, he is convicted by everyone, and is judged by everyone. ²⁵ And in this way the secrets of his heart are opened, and so he falls down on his face and worships God, and says that God is with you indeed.

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? When you come together, each one has his song, has his word, has his tongue, has his revelation, has his interpretation. Let all things be done for edifying. ²⁷ If any man speaks with tongues, let it be two in all, or at the most three in all, and that by turn; and let another interpret it. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the congregation, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Let the prophets speak two in all, or three in all, and let the others judge. ³⁰ If any revelation is made to another who sits by, let the first hold his peace. ³¹ For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may have comfort. ³² For the spirits of the prophets are in the control of the prophets. ³³ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as he is in all other congregations of the saints.

³⁴ Let your wives keep silence in the congregations. For it is not permitted to them to speak, but let them be under obedience, as the law says. ³⁵ If they wish to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is unseemly for women to speak in the congregation.

³⁶ Did the word of God come forth from you? Or did it come to you only? ³⁷ If anyone thinks himself a prophet, or spiritual, let him understand the things I write to you. For they are the commandments of the Lord. ³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ And so, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. ⁴⁰ And let all things be done decently and in order.