23 For (A)the wages of sin is death, but (B)the [a]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 6:23 free gift

23 For the wages of sin is death,(A) but the gift of God is eternal life(B) in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 6:23 Or through

15 Thanks be to God (A)for His indescribable gift!

Read full chapter

15 Thanks be to God(A) for his indescribable gift!(B)

Read full chapter

But God, (A)who is rich in mercy, because of His (B)great love with which He loved us, (C)even when we were dead in trespasses, (D)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together (E)in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in (F)His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (G)For by grace you have been saved (H)through faith, and that not of yourselves; (I)it is the gift of God, not of (J)works, lest anyone should (K)boast. 10 For we are (L)His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Read full chapter

But because of his great love for us,(A) God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(B)—it is by grace you have been saved.(C) And God raised us up with Christ(D) and seated us with him(E) in the heavenly realms(F) in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(G) expressed in his kindness(H) to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace(I) you have been saved,(J) through faith(K)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works,(L) so that no one can boast.(M) 10 For we are God’s handiwork,(N) created(O) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(P) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Read full chapter

Spiritual Gifts

But (A)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

(B)“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

(C)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [a]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One (D)who ascended far above all the heavens, (E)that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, (F)for the [b]edifying of (G)the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith (H)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to (I)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be (J)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of (K)deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the (L)head—Christ— 16 (M)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:9 NU omits first
  2. Ephesians 4:12 building up

But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(D)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](E)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(G) 11 So Christ himself gave(H) the apostles,(I) the prophets,(J) the evangelists,(K) the pastors and teachers,(L) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(M) may be built up(N) 13 until we all reach unity(O) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(P) and become mature,(Q) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(R)

14 Then we will no longer be infants,(S) tossed back and forth by the waves,(T) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(U) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(V) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(W) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(X) and builds itself up(Y) in love,(Z) as each part does its work.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

Articles of the Tabernacle

10 (A)‘All who are gifted artisans among you shall come and make all that the Lord has commanded: 11 (B)the tabernacle, its tent, its covering, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 (C)the ark and its poles, with the mercy seat, and the veil of the covering; 13 the (D)table and its poles, all its utensils, (E)and the showbread; 14 also (F)the lampstand for the light, its utensils, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 (G)the incense altar, its poles, (H)the anointing oil, (I)the sweet incense, and the screen for the door at the entrance of the tabernacle; 16 (J)the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles, all its utensils, and the laver and its base; 17 (K)the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pegs of the tabernacle, the pegs of the court, and their cords; 19 (L)the [a]garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests.’ ”

The Tabernacle Offerings Presented

20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 Then everyone came (M)whose heart [b]was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they (N)brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought (O)earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all (P)jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 And (Q)every man, with whom was found blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair, red skins of rams, and [c]badger skins, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver or bronze brought the Lord’s offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were (R)gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 26 And all the women whose hearts [d]stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair. 27 (S)The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate, 28 and (T)spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a (U)freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.

The Artisans Called by God(V)

30 And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, (W)the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, 32 to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, 33 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship.

34 “And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and (X)Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has (Y)filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 35:19 Or woven garments
  2. Exodus 35:21 Lit. lifted him up
  3. Exodus 35:23 Or dolphin
  4. Exodus 35:26 Lit. lifted them up

10 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:(A) 11 the tabernacle(B) with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 12 the ark(C) with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain(D) that shields it; 13 the table(E) with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand(F) that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; 15 the altar(G) of incense with its poles, the anointing oil(H) and the fragrant incense;(I) the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle;(J) 16 the altar(K) of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin(L) with its stand; 17 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;(M) 18 the tent pegs(N) for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments(O) for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. 23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn(P) or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. 25 Every skilled woman(Q) spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 27 The leaders(R) brought onyx stones and other gems(S) to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.(T) 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing(U) brought to the Lord freewill offerings(V) for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.

Bezalel and Oholiab(W)

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills(X) 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab(Y) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach(Z) others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work(AA) as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Talents(A)

14 (B)“For the kingdom of heaven is (C)like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, (D)to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (E)faithful over a few things, (F)I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (G)the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, (H)‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (I)the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You (J)wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 (K)‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant (L)into the outer darkness. (M)There will be weeping and (N)gnashing of teeth.’

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Bags of Gold(A)

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(B) who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability.(C) Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.(D) 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(E) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(F) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(G) 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’(H)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:15 Greek five talents … two talents … one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage.

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are (A)irrevocable.

Read full chapter

29 for God’s gifts and his call(A) are irrevocable.(B)

Read full chapter

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

For I say, (A)through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, (B)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt (C)to each one a measure of faith. For (D)as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so (E)we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is (F)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us (G)prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; (H)he who teaches, in teaching; (I)he who exhorts, in exhortation; (J)he who gives, with liberality; (K)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, (L)with cheerfulness.

Read full chapter

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

For by the grace given me(A) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,(B) so in Christ we, though many, form one body,(C) and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts,(D) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(E) then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;(F) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(G) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(H) if it is giving, then give generously;(I) if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:6 Or the
  2. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others

Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

12 Now (A)concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know (B)that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these (C)dumb[b] idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [c]accursed, and (D)no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

(E)There are [d]diversities of gifts, but (F)the same Spirit. (G)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God (H)who works [e]all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given (I)the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another (J)the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (K)to another faith by the same Spirit, to another (L)gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10 (M)to another the working of miracles, to another (N)prophecy, to another (O)discerning of spirits, to another (P)different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (Q)distributing to each one individually (R)as He wills.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 NU, M that when
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 mute, silent
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr. anathema
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:4 allotments or various kinds
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:6 all things in
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:9 NU one

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(A) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(B) You know that when you were pagans,(C) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(D) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(E) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(F) except by the Holy Spirit.(G)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(H) distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(I) it is the same God(J) at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(K) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(L) to another a message of knowledge(M) by means of the same Spirit, to another faith(N) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(O) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(P) to another prophecy,(Q) to another distinguishing between spirits,(R) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a](S) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(T) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of (A)prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, (B)so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And (C)though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

(D)Love suffers long and is (E)kind; love (F)does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; does not behave rudely, (G)does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; (H)does not rejoice in iniquity, but (I)rejoices in the truth; (J)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. (K)For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For (L)now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then (M)face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:3 NU so I may boast
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:4 arrogant
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:5 keeps no accounts of evil
  4. 1 Corinthians 13:10 complete

13 If I speak in the tongues[a](A) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy(B) and can fathom all mysteries(C) and all knowledge,(D) and if I have a faith(E) that can move mountains,(F) but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor(G) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b](H) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient,(I) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(J) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,(K) it is not easily angered,(L) it keeps no record of wrongs.(M) Love does not delight in evil(N) but rejoices with the truth.(O) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(P)

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,(Q) they will cease; where there are tongues,(R) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part(S) and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,(T) what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood(U) behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;(V) then we shall see face to face.(W) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.(X)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.(Y) But the greatest of these is love.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and (A)desire spiritual gifts, (B)but especially that you may prophesy. For he who (C)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks (D)edification and (E)exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:5 NU and

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love(A) and eagerly desire(B) gifts of the Spirit,(C) especially prophecy.(D) For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a](E) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;(F) they utter mysteries(G) by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,(H) encouraging(I) and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue(J) edifies(K) themselves, but the one who prophesies(L) edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy.(M) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.(N)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39

12 Even so you, since you are [a]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [b]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up

12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,(A) try to excel in those that build up(B) the church.

Read full chapter

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would receive the gift and (A)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:4 NU, M omit that we would receive, thus changing text to urgency for the favor and fellowship

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(A) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(B) in this service(C) to the Lord’s people.(D)

Read full chapter