Bible in 90 Days
Pleasing Others, Not Ourselves
15 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength,(A) and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.(B) 3 For even Christ did not please himself.(C) On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.[a](D) 4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction,(E) so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. 5 Now may the God who gives[b] endurance and encouragement(F) grant you to live in harmony with one another,(G) according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ(H) with one mind and one voice.
Glorifying God Together
7 Therefore welcome one another,(I) just as[c] Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised[d] on behalf of God’s truth,(J) to confirm the promises to the fathers,(K) 9 and so that Gentiles(L) may glorify God for his mercy.(M) As it is written,
10 Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people 11 And again,
12 And again, Isaiah says,
The root of Jesse(Q) will appear,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
the Gentiles will hope in him.[h](R)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe(S) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(T)
From Jerusalem to Illyricum
14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,(U) filled with all knowledge,(V) and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points[i] because of the grace given me by God(W) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,(X) serving as a priest of the gospel of God.(Y) God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,(Z) sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus(AA) regarding what pertains to God.(AB) 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me(AC) by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,(AD) and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem(AE) all the way around to Illyricum.[j](AF) 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,(AG) so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,(AH) 21 but, as it is written,
Paul’s Travel Plans
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.(AJ) 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,[l] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you(AK) 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[m] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,(AL) once I have first enjoyed your company(AM) for a while. 25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem(AN) to serve the saints,(AO) 26 because Macedonia(AP) and Achaia(AQ) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,(AR) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds[n] to them,[o](AS) I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing[p] of Christ.
30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,(AT) to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.(AU) 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,(AV) that my ministry to[q] Jerusalem(AW) may be acceptable to the saints,(AX) 32 and that, by God’s will,(AY) I may come to you with joy(AZ) and be refreshed together with you.
33 May the God of peace be with all of you.(BA) Amen.
Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe
16 I commend to you(BB) our sister Phoebe, who is a servant[r] of the church in Cenchreae.(BC) 2 So you should welcome her in the Lord(BD) in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.
Greeting to Roman Christians
3 Give my greetings to Prisca[s] and Aquila,(BE) my coworkers in(BF) Christ Jesus,(BG) 4 who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5 Greet also the church that meets in their home.(BH) Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert[t](BI) to Christ from Asia.[u](BJ) 6 Greet Mary,[v] who has worked very hard for you.[w] 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews[x](BK) and fellow prisoners.(BL) They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles,[y] and they were also in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.(BM) 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.[z] Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus,(BN) chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.(BO) 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(BP) All the churches of Christ send you greetings.
Warning against Divisive People
17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.(BQ) Avoid them,(BR) 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ(BS) but their own appetites.[aa](BT) They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.(BU)
Paul’s Gracious Conclusion
19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone.(BV) Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.(BW) 20 The God of peace(BX) will soon crush Satan(BY) under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(BZ)
21 Timothy,(CA) my coworker, and Lucius,(CB) Jason,(CC) and Sosipater,(CD) my fellow countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,(CE) greet you in the Lord.[ab]
23 Gaius,(CF) who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus,(CG) the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.[ac]
Glory to God
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you(CH) according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,(CI) according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent(CJ) for long ages(CK) 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,(CL) according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith(CM) among all the Gentiles— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul,(CO) called as an apostle(CP) of Christ Jesus by God’s will,(CQ) and Sosthenes our brother:(CR)
2 To the church of God at Corinth,(CS) to those sanctified(CT) in Christ Jesus, called(CU) as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name(CV) of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father(CW) and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
4 I always thank(CX) my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in him(CY) in every way, in all speech and all knowledge.(CZ) 6 In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,(DA) 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait(DB) for the revelation(DC) of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end,(DD) so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(DE) 9 God is faithful;(DF) you were called by him(DG) into fellowship with his Son,(DH) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Divisions at Corinth
10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry(DI) among you. 12 What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”(DJ) or “I belong to Cephas,”(DK) or “I belong to Christ.”(DL) 13 Is Christ divided?(DM) Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? 14 I thank God[ae][af] that I baptized none of you except Crispus(DN) and Gaius,(DO) 15 so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. 16 I did, in fact, baptize the household(DP) of Stephanas;(DQ) beyond that, I don’t recall if I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross(DR) of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.(DS) 19 For it is written,
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.[ag](DT)
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?[ah] Where is the debater of this age?(DU) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs(DV) and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified,(DW) a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.[ai] 24 Yet to those who are called,(DX) both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Boasting Only in the Lord
26 Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,[aj] not many powerful,(DY) not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen(DZ) what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world(EA)—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one[ak] may boast in his presence.(EB) 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness,(EC) sanctification,(ED) and redemption(EE)— 31 in order that, as it is written:(EF) Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.[al](EG)
Paul’s Proclamation
2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery[am] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance(EH) of speech(EI) or wisdom. 2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.(EJ) 3 I came to you in weakness,(EK) in fear,(EL) and in much trembling.(EM) 4 My speech(EN) and my preaching were not with persuasive(EO) words of wisdom[an] but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.(EP)
Spiritual Wisdom
6 We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature,(EQ) but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers(ER) of this age, who are coming to nothing.(ES) 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined(ET) before the ages for our glory.(EU) 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.(EV) 9 But as it is written,
What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.[ao](EW)
10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything,(EX) even the depths of God.(EY) 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts[ap] except his spirit(EZ) within him? In the same way, no one knows(FA) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words(FB) taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.[aq] 14 But the person without the Spirit[ar] does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated[as] spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate[at] everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For
But we have the mind of Christ.(FD)
The Problem of Immaturity
3 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ.(FE) 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still worldly. For since there is envy(FF) and strife[av](FG) among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? 4 For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,”(FH) are you not acting like mere humans?
The Role of God’s Servants
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. 6 I planted,(FI) Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one,[aw] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s coworkers.[ax] You are God’s field, God’s building.(FJ)
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,[ay] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation(FK) other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,(FL) costly stones,(FM) wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire;(FN) the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.(FO) 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience[az] loss, but he himself will be saved(FP)—but only as through fire.(FQ)
16 Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple(FR) and that the Spirit of God lives in you?(FS) 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him;(FT) for God’s temple is holy,(FU) and that is what you are.
The Folly of Human Wisdom
18 Let no one deceive(FV) himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age,(FW) let him become a fool(FX) so that he can become wise.(FY) 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness(FZ) with God, since it is written,(GA) He catches the wise in their craftiness;[ba](GB) 20 and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings(GC) of the wise are futile.[bb](GD) 21 So let no one boast in human leaders, for everything is yours(GE)— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas(GF) or the world or life(GG) or death(GH) or things present or things to come(GI)—everything is yours, 23 and you belong to Christ,(GJ) and Christ belongs to God.
The Faithful Manager
4 A person should think of us in this way: as servants(GK) of Christ and managers(GL) of the mysteries of God.(GM) 2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.(GN) 3 It is of little(GO) importance to me that I should be judged(GP) by you or by any human court.[bc] In fact, I don’t even judge myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified(GQ) by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 So don’t judge(GR) anything prematurely, before the Lord comes,(GS) who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.(GT)
The Apostles’ Example of Humility
6 Now, brothers and sisters,(GU) I have applied these things to myself and Apollos(GV) for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. 7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ!(GW) We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working(GX) with our own hands.(GY) When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.(GZ)
Paul’s Fatherly Care
14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.(HA) 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father(HB) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent(HC) Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful(HD) child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon,(HE) if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,(HF) or in love and a spirit of gentleness?(HG)
Immoral Church Members
5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality(HH) among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated[bd] among the Gentiles(HI)—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.(HJ) 2 And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief(HK) and remove from your congregation the one who did this? 3 Even though I am absent in the body, I am present in spirit.(HL) As one who is present with you in this way, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has been doing such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,(HM) so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.(HN)
6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven[be](HO) leavens the whole batch of dough?(HP) 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb(HQ) has been sacrificed.[bf] 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil,(HR) but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Church Discipline
9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate(HS) with sexually immoral people.(HT) 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy(HU) and swindlers(HV) or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world.(HW) 11 But actually, I wrote[bg] you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister(HX) and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard(HY) or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge(HZ) outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.[bh](IA)
Lawsuits among Believers
6 If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court(IB) before the unrighteous,[bi] and not before the saints? 2 Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels—how much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have such matters, do you appoint as your judges those who have no standing(IC) in the church? 5 I say this to your shame!(ID) Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers?(IE) 6 Instead, brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers!(IF)
7 As it is, to have legal disputes against one another is already a defeat for you.(IG) Why not rather be wronged?(IH) Why not rather be cheated?(II) 8 Instead, you yourselves do wrong and cheat—and you do this to brothers and sisters! 9 Don’t you know that the unrighteous(IJ) will not inherit God’s kingdom?(IK) Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters,(IL) adulterers,(IM) or males who have sex with males,[bj](IN) 10 no thieves,(IO) greedy(IP) people, drunkards, verbally abusive people,(IQ) or swindlers(IR) will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And some of you used to be like this.(IS) But you were washed, you were sanctified,(IT) you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Glorifying God in Body and Spirit
12 “Everything is permissible(IU) for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food(IV) is for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will do away with both of them. However, the body is not for sexual immorality(IW) but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.(IX) 15 Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body?(IY) So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh.[bk](IZ) 17 But anyone joined(JA) to the Lord is one spirit(JB) with him.
18 Flee(JC) sexual immorality! Every other sin[bl] a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral(JD) sins against his own body. 19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple(JE) of the Holy Spirit(JF) who is in you,(JG) whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought(JH) at a price. So glorify God with your body.[bm]
Principles of Marriage
7 Now in response to the matters you wrote[bn] about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”[bo] 2 But because sexual immorality is so common,[bp](JI) each man should have sexual relations with his own wife,(JJ) and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty(JK) to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive(JL) one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to[bq] prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift(JM) from God, one person has this gift, another has that.
A Word to the Unmarried
8 I say to the unmarried[br] and to widows:(JN) It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control,(JO) they should marry, since it is better to marry(JP) than to burn with desire.
About Married People
10 To the married I give this command(JQ)—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave[bs] her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to divorce his wife.(JR) 12 But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother(JS) has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy(JT) by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband.[bt] Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you[bu] to live in peace. 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.[bv]
Various Situations of Life
17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called(JU) him.[bw] This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation[bx] in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.[by] 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave(JV) is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought(JW) at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.
About the Unmarried and Widows
25 Now about virgins:[bz] I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy(JX) is faithful.(JY) 26 Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 However, if you do get married,(JZ) you have not sinned, and if a virgin[ca] marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life,[cb] and I am trying to spare you.
29 This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time is limited,(KA) so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice(KB) as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they didn’t own anything, 31 and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.(KC)
32 I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please(KD) the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord,(KE) so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.
36 If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry—he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will(KF)) and has decided in his heart to keep her as his fiancée, will do well. 38 So, then, he who marries his fiancée does well, but he who does not marry will do better.[cc]
39 A wife is bound[cd] as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants—only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Food Offered to Idols
8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:(KG) We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up,(KH) but love(KI) builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.(KJ) 3 But if anyone loves God,(KK) he is known(KL) by him.
4 About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,”[ce] and that “there is no God but one.”(KM) 5 For even if there are so-called gods,(KN) whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father.(KO) All things are from him,(KP) and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.(KQ)
7 However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some have been so used to idolatry up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not bring us close to God.[cf] We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.(KR) 9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block(KS) to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged[cg] to eat food offered to idols? 11 So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died,(KT) is ruined[ch](KU) by your knowledge.(KV) 12 Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat,(KW) so that I won’t cause my brother or sister to fall.
Paul’s Example as an Apostle
9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal(KX) of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?(KY) 5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife[ci] like the other apostles,(KZ) the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas?(LA) 6 Or do only Barnabas(LB) and I have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?(LC) Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock?
8 Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox(LD) while it treads out grain.[cj](LE) Is God really concerned about oxen? 10 Isn’t he really saying it for our sake? Yes, this is written for our sake,(LF) because he who plows ought to plow in hope,(LG) and he who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing the crop.(LH) 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead, we endure everything(LI) so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar(LJ) share in the offerings of the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.(LK)
15 For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach[ck]—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted(LL) with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.(LM)
19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win(LN) more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law[cl]—to win those under the law.(LO) 21 To those who are without the law,(LP) like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.(LQ) 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.
24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,(LR) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.(LS) 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control(LT) in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown,(LU) but we an imperishable crown. 26 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.(LV)
Warnings from Israel’s Past
10 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors(LW) were all under the cloud,(LX) all passed through the sea,(LY) 2 and all were baptized(LZ) into Moses(MA) in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food,(MB) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock(MC) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.(MD) 5 Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness.(ME)
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire(MF) evil things as they did.[cm](MG) 7 Don’t become idolaters(MH) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.[cn][co](MI) 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality(MJ) as some of them did,[cp] and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died.(MK) 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did[cq] and were destroyed by snakes.(ML) 10 And don’t grumble(MM) as some of them did,[cr](MN) and were killed by the destroyer.[cs](MO) 11 These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction,(MP) on whom the ends of the ages[ct](MQ) have come.(MR) 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.(MS) 13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful;(MT) he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out(MU) so that you may be able to bear it.
Warning against Idolatry
14 So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16 The cup(MV) of blessing(MW) that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread(MX) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one(MY) body, since all of us share the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel.[cu] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?(MZ) 19 What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they[cv] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(NA)
Christian Liberty
23 “Everything is permissible,”[cw] but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,”[cx] but not everything builds up. 24 No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.(NB)
25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, without raising questions for the sake of conscience, 26 since the earth is the Lord’s,(NC) and all that is in it.[cy](ND) 27 If any of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is food from a sacrifice,” do not eat it,(NE) out of consideration for the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.[cz] 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged(NF) by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanksgiving,(NG) why am I criticized because of something for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(NH) 32 Give no offense(NI) to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many,(NJ) so that they may be saved.
11 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.(NK)
Instructions about Head Coverings
2 Now I praise you[da] because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions(NL) just as I delivered(NM) them to you. 3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head(NN) of every man, and the man is the head of the woman,[db](NO) and God is the head of Christ.(NP) 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors(NQ) his head. 5 Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.(NR) 6 For if a woman doesn’t cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her head be covered.
7 A man should not cover his head, because he is the image(NS) and glory of God.(NT) So too, woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.(NU) 9 Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. 10 This is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. 12 For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.(NV)
13 Judge(NW) for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach(NX) you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace(NY) to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?(NZ) For her hair is given to her[dc] as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other[dd] custom, nor do the churches of God.
The Lord’s Supper
17 Now in giving this instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 Indeed, it is necessary that there be factions(OA) among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 When you come together, then, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.(OB) 21 For at the meal, each one eats his own supper.[de] So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! 22 Don’t you have homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you in this matter!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:(OC) On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said,[df] “This is my body, which is[dg] for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”(OD)
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant(OE) in my blood.(OF) Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death(OG) until he comes.(OH)
Self-Examination
27 So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body[dh] and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[di] eats and drinks judgment(OI) on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.(OJ) 31 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged(OK) by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned(OL) with the world.
33 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, welcome one another.[dj] 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.(OM)
Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:[dk] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute(ON) idols.(OO) 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are different gifts,(OP) but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. 7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person(OQ) for the common good: 8 to one(OR) is given a message of wisdom(OS) through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing(OT) by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles,(OU) to another, prophecy,(OV) to another, distinguishing between spirits,(OW) to another, different kinds of tongues,[dl] to another, interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.
Unity Yet Diversity in the Body
12 For just as the body is one(OX) and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.(OY) 13 For we were all baptized by[dm] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.(OZ) 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.(PA) 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. 23 And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable,(PB) we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, 24 which our respectable parts do not need.
Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division(PC) in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ,(PD) and individual members of it. 28 And God has appointed these in the church:(PE) first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,(PF) next miracles,(PG) then gifts of healing,(PH) helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.[dn] 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?(PI) 31 But desire(PJ) the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.
Love: The Superior Way
13 If I speak human or angelic tongues[do] but do not have love,(PK) I am a noisy gong(PL) or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy(PM) and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains(PN) but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast[dp] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient,(PO) love is kind. Love does not envy,(PP) is not boastful, is not arrogant,(PQ) 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking,(PR) is not irritable,(PS) and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.(PT) 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures(PU) all things.
8 Love never ends.(PV) But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. 12 For now we see only a reflection[dq] as in a mirror, but then face to face.(PW) Now I know in part, but then I will know fully,(PX) as I am fully known.(PY) 13 Now these three remain: faith, hope,(PZ) and love—but the greatest of these is love.
Prophecy: A Superior Gift
14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 2 For the person who speaks in a tongue[dr](QA) is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.[ds] 3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,[dt] encouragement, and consolation. 4 The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues,[du] but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.
6 So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation(QB) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp(QC)—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? 8 In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?(QD) 9 In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner[dv] to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you—since you are zealous(QE) for spiritual gifts,[dw](QF) seek to excel in building up the church.
13 Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit(QG) prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.(QH) 15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit,[dx] how will the outsider[dy] say “Amen”(QI) at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank(QJ) God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words(QK) with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.(QL) 21 It is written in the law,
I will speak to this people
by people of other tongues
and by the lips of foreigners,
and even then, they will not listen to me,[dz](QM)
says the Lord. 22 Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all. 25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”(QN)
Order in Church Meetings
26 What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one[ea] has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.(QO) Everything is to be done for building up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, there are to be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.(QP) 30 But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.(QQ) 32 And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets, 33 since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints,(QR) 34 the women[eb] should be silent in the churches,(QS) for they are not permitted to speak, but are to submit themselves, as the law also says. 35 If they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands(QT) at home, since it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If anyone ignores this, he will be ignored.[ec] 39 So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager(QU) to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything is to be done decently(QV) and in order.
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