⁶ We have different gifts,^(A) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(B) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^{(C) 7} if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^{(D) 8} if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(E) if it is giving, then give generously;^(F) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak,^(A) without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.^{(B) 3} The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt^(C) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge^(D) the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?^(E) To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another;^(F) another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God;^(G) and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone,^(H) and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.^(I)

¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(C) about those who sleep in death,^(D) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^{(E) 14} For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(F) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(G) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(H) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(I) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(J) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(K) and with the trumpet call of God,^(L) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(M) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(N) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(O) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(P) forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another^(Q) with these words.