22 On the contrary, [a]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we [b]consider less honorable, [c]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [d]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [e]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:22 Lit to a much greater degree the parts
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or think to be
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or these we clothe with
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:25 Or dissension
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Lit glorified

22 On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, 23 and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity,[a] 24 but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a[b] member is honored, all rejoice with it.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:23 tn Grk “have greater propriety (or decorum, presentability).”
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:26 tc ‡ Before μέλος (melos, “member”) the great majority of witnesses read ἕν (hen, “one”; א2 C D F G Ψ 0285 33 1881 M latt sy), while the most significant of the Alexandrian mss omit it (P46 א* A B 1739). The addition of ἕν appears to be motivated by its presence earlier in the verse with μέλος and the parallel structure of the two conditional clauses in this verse, while little reason can be given for its absence (although accidental oversight is of course possible, it is not likely that all these witnesses should have overlooked it). NA28 has the word in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.