upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon
the Lord without distraction. (36)But if any one thinks that he
behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin, if she be past the flower
of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sins not;
let them marry. (37)But he that stands steadfast in his heart, having
no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has determined this
in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. (38)So that both
he that gives her in marriage does well, and he that gives her not in
marriage does better.
(39)A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband
be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the
Lord. (40)But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment; and I
too think that I have the Spirit of God.
VIII.
NOW concerning the things offered to idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. (2)If any one thinks
that he knows anything, he has known nothing yet as he ought to know.
(3)But if any one loves God, the same is known by him.
(4)As concerning then the eating of the things offered to idols, we
know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other
God but one. (5)For though there are gods so-called, whether in heaven
or on earth (as there are gods many, and lords many), (6)yet to us
there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto
him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
(7)But there is not in all men this knowledge; for some, with a
consciousness till now of the idol, eat it as a thing offered to an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (8)But food commends
us not to God; for neither, if we eat, are we the better; nor, if we
eat not, are we the worse. (9)But take heed, lest haply this liberty
of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak. (10)For if any one sees
thee, who hast knowledge, reclining at table in an idol's temple, will
not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat the things
offered to idols? (11)And through thy knowledge he that is weak
perishes, the brother for whom Christ died! (12)But when ye so sin
against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against
Christ. (13)Wherefore, if food cause my brother to offend, I will eat
no flesh for ever more, that I may not cause my brother to offend.
IX.
AM I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our
Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? (2)If I am not an apostle to
others, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of my apostleship are
ye in the Lord. (3)This is my answer to those who examine me. (4)Have
we not power to eat and to drink? (5)Have we not power to lead about a
sister as a wife, as well as the other apostles, and the brothers of
the Lord, and Cephas? (6)Or have only I and Barnabas not power to
forbear working? (7)Who ever goes to war at his own charges? Who
plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? Or who tends a
flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?
(8)Say I these things as a man? Or does not the law also say these
things? (9)For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not
muzzle an ox while treading out the grain. Is it for the oxen that God
cares? (10)Or does he say it altogether for our sakes? For, for our
sakes it was written; that he who plows ought to plow in hope; and he
who threshes, in hope of partaking. (11)If we sowed for you, the
things that are spiritual, is it a great thing if we shall reap your
carnal things? (12)If others partake of this power over you, do not we
still more? But we used not this power; but we bear all things, that
we may not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
(13)Do ye not know that they who minister about the holy things eat of
the temple, and they who wait at the altar partake with the altar?
(14)So also did the Lord appoint to those who preach the gospel, to
live by the gospel. (15)But I have used none of these things; and I
wrote not these things, that it should be so done to me; for it were
better for me to die, than that any one should make my glorying void.
(16)For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for a
necessity is laid upon me; for, woe is to me, if I preach not the
gospel! (17)For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if
unwillingly, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.
(18)What then is my reward? That, in preaching the gospel, I may make
the gospel without charge, that I use not to the full my power in the
gospel. (19)For being free from all men, I made myself servant to all,
that I might gain the more. (20)And to the Jews I became as a Jew,
that I might gain Jews; to those under law, as under law, not being
myself under law, that I might gain those under law; (21)to those
without law, as without law (not being without law to God, but under
law to Christ), that I might gain those without law. (22)To the weak I
became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things
to all, that I may by all means save some. (23)And all things I do for
the gospel's sake, that I may become a partaker thereof with
others[9:23].
(24)Know ye not that they who run in a race, all indeed run, but one
receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (25)And every one who
contends for the prize is temperate in all things; they indeed to
obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. (26)I therefore
so run, as not uncertainly; I so fight, as not beating the air.
(27)But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest
haply, having preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
X.
FOR I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all
under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2)and were all
immersed unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3)and all ate the
same spiritual food, (4)and all drank the same spiritual drink; for
they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was
Christ. (5)But in the most of them God had no pleasure; for they were
overthrown in the wilderness.
(6)Now these things were examples to us, in order that we should not
lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (7)Nor be ye idolaters,
as were some of them; as it is written: The people sat down to eat and
drink, and rose up to play. (8)Nor let us commit fornication, as some
of them did, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (9)Nor let
us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted, and perished by the
serpents. (10)Nor murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by
the destroyer.
(11)Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
(12)Wherefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.
(13)There has no temptation taken you but such as belongs to man; and
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what ye
are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape,
that ye may be able to bear it.
(14)Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (15)I speak as to wise
men; judge ye what I say. (16)The cup of blessing which we bless, is
it not a partaking of the blood of Christ? The loaf which we break, is
it not a partaking of the body of Christ? (17)Because we, the many,
are one loaf, one body; for we all share in that one loaf.
(18)Behold Israel according to the flesh. Are not they who eat of the
sacrifices partakers of the altar?
(19)What then do I say? That an idol is anything, or that what is
offered to idols is anything? (20)Nay; but that what they sacrifice,
they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I would not that ye
should be partakers of the demons. (21)Ye can not drink the cup of the
Lord, and the cup of demons; ye can not share in the table of the
Lord, and the table of demons.
(22)Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
(23)All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient; all
things are lawful, but not all things edify. (24)Let no one seek his
own, but his neighbor's good.
(25)Whatever is sold in the market eat, asking no question for
conscience sake'; (26)for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness
thereof.
(27)If any of the unbelieving bids you to a feast, and ye choose to
go, whatever is set before you eat, asking no question for conscience'
sake. (28)But if any one say to you: This is a thing sacrificed to a
god, eat it not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience'
sake. (29)Conscience, I say, not thine own, but that of the other; for
why is my liberty judged by another's conscience? (30)If I partake
with thanks, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give
thanks?
(31)Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to
the glory of God. (32)Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews or
Greeks, or to the church of God; (33)as I also please all in all
things, not seeking my own profit, but that of the many, that they may
be saved. (1)BE ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.
(2)Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and,
hold fast the traditions[11:2], as I delivered them to you.
(3)And I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;
and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(4)Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered,
dishonors his head. (5)But every woman praying or prophesying with the
head uncovered, dishonors her head; for it is one and the same as if
she were shaven. (6)For if a woman is not covered, let her also be
shorn; but if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her
be covered. (7)For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, being the
image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man. (8)For
the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. (9)And the man
was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. (10)For this
cause ought the woman to have [the token of] authority on her head,
because of the angels.
(11)Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man
without the woman, in the Lord. (12)For as the woman is of the man, so
also is the man by the woman; but all things of God.
(13)Judge in your own selves; is it seemly that a woman pray to God
uncovered? (14)Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man
have long hair, it is a shame to him? (15)But if a woman have long
hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering.
(16)But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom,
nor the churches of God.
(17)And while I enjoin this, I praise you not, that ye come together
not for the better, but for the worse. (18)For first of all, when ye
come together in the church, I hear that there are divisions among
you; and I partly believe it. (19)For there must be also sects among
you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.
(20)When therefore ye come together into one place, there is no eating
of a supper of the Lord[11:20]. (21)For in eating, each takes without
waiting his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
(22)What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the
church of God, and shame those who have not? What shall I say to you?
Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
(23)For I received from the Lord, what I also delivered to you, that
the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took a loaf;
(24)and having given thanks, he broke it, and said: This is my body,
which is for you; this do in remembrance of me. (25)In like manner
also the cup, after they had supped, saying: This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance
of me. (26)For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye
show the Lord's death till he come.
(27)So that whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
(28)But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread,
and drink of the cup. (29)For he that eats and drinks, eats and drinks
condemnation to himself, if he discern not the body.
(30)For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
(31)For if we judged ourselves; we should not be judged. (32)But being
judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned
with the world.
(33)Wherefore, my brethren, when coming together to eat, wait for one
another. (34)If any one is hungry, let him eat at home; that ye come
not together unto condemnation. And the rest I will set in order when
I come.
XII.
NOW concerning the spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you
ignorant.
(2)Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away to the dumb idols, as ye
were led. (3)Wherefore I give you to understand, that no one speaking
by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed; and no one can say, Jesus
is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
(4)Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5)And
there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. (6)And
there are diversities of operations, but the same God who works all in
all. (7)But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for
profiting. (8)For to one is given through the Spirit the word of
wisdom; to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
(9)to another faith, by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healings
by the one Spirit; (10)to another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diversities of
tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. (11)But all these
works the one and self-same Spirit, dividing to each one severally as
he will.
(12)For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members
of the body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (13)For by
one Spirit we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
(14)For the body is not one member, but many. (15)If the foot say:
Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not
of the body. (16)And if the ear say: Because I am not an eye, I am not
of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. (17)If the whole
body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing,
where were the smelling?
(18)But now, God set the members each one of them in the body, as it
pleased him. (19)And if they were all one member, where were the body?
(20)But now there are many members, but one body. (21)And the eye can
not say to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the
feet, I have no need of you. (22)Nay, much more those members of the
body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary; (23)and those which
we think to be less honorable parts of the body, on these we bestow
more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant
comeliness. (24)And our comely parts have no need; but God attempered
the body together, giving more abundant honor to that which lacked;
(25)that there may be no division in the body, but that the members
should have the same care one for another. (26)And whether one member
suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all
the members rejoice with it.
(27)Now ye are the body of Christ, and members each one[12:27].
(28)And God set some in the church, apostles first, secondly prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governings, diversities of tongues. (29)Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? (30)Have all
gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
(31)But desire earnestly the greater gifts; and moreover, I show to
you a more excellent way.
(1)Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2)And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and
all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,
and have not love, I am nothing. (3)And though I bestow all my goods
in food, and though I give up my body that I may be burned, and have
not love, it profits me nothing.
(4)Love suffers long, is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not
itself, is not puffed up, (5)does not behave itself unseemly, seeks
not its own, is not easily provoked, imputes no evil; (6)rejoices not
at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; (7)bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8)Love
never fails; but whether there are prophesyings, they will be done
away; whether tongues, they will cease; whether knowledge, it will be
done away. (9)For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10)But
when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be
done away.
(11)When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I
reasoned as a child; but now that I am become a man, I have done away
the things of the child. (12)For we see now in a mirror, obscurely;
but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know
fully, even as I also am fully known.
(13)And now remain faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of
these is love.
(1)Pursue after love; and desire earnestly the spiritual gifts, but
rather that ye may prophesy. (2)For he that speaks in an unknown
tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but with
the spirit he speaks mysteries. (3)But he that prophesies, to men he
speaks edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (4)He that speaks in
an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the
church.
(5)I would that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye
should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks
with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edification.
(6)And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what
shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either in revelation,
or in knowledge, or in prophesying, or in teaching? (7)And things
without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, yet if they give no
distinction in the sounds, how shall that be known which is piped or
harped? (8)For if a trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare
himself for battle? (9)So also ye, if ye utter not by the tongue words
easily understood, how shall that be known which is spoken? For ye
will be speaking into the air.
(10)So many, it may be, are the kinds of speaking sounds in the world,
and none is without significance. (11)If then I know not the meaning
of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that
speaks a barbarian to me. (12)So also ye, since ye are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound in them to the edification of
the church.
(13)Wherefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret. (14)For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit
prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (15)What then? I will pray
with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will
sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
(16)Else, if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that
occupies the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of
thanks, since he knows not what thou sayest? (17)For thou indeed
givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
(18)I thank God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. (19)Yet in the
church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I
may also instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown
tongue.
(20)Brethren, be not children in your understandings; but in malice be
as children, but in your understandings be men.
(21)In the law it is written:
For with men of other tongues, and with strange lips,
I will speak to this people;
And not even so will they hearken to me, saith the Lord.
(22)So that the tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but
to the unbelieving; but prophesying is not for the unbelieving, but
for those who believe.
(23)If therefore the whole church is come together into one place, and
all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (24)But if all
prophesy, and there come in one that is an unbeliever, or unlearned,
he is convicted by all, he is judged by all. (25)The secrets of his
heart are made manifest; and so falling on his face he will worship
God, reporting that God is in truth among you.
(26)How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each of you has a
psalm, has an instruction, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. (27)If any one
speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by
three, and in turn; and let one interpret. (28)But if there be no
interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to
himself, and to God.
(29)And of prophets, let two or three speak, and the others judge.
(30)But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first
be silent. (31)For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all be comforted. (32)And the spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets. (33)For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace,
as in all churches of the saints.
(34)Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not
permitted to them to speak, but they are to be in subjection, as the
law also says. (35)And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask
their husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the
church.
(36)Did the word of God come forth from you? Or came it unto you
alone? (37)If any one thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,
let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the
Lord's commandments. (38)But if any one is ignorant, let him be
ignorant. (39)Wherefore, brethren, desire earnestly the gift of
prophecy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (40)But let all things
be done decently and in order.
XV.
AND I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you,
which also ye received, in which also ye stand; (2)through which also
ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word with which I preached to you,
unless ye believed in vain.
(3)For I delivered to you first of all what I also received, that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; (4)and that he
was buried, and that he has risen on the third day according to the
Scriptures; (5)and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve;
(6)after that, he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once; of
whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep.
(7)After that, he appeared to James; then to all the apostles. (8)And
last of all he appeared to me also, as the one born out of due time.
(9)For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called
an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (10)But by the
grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me
was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not
I, but the grace of God which was with me. (11)Therefore whether it
were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
(12)Now if Christ is preached that he has risen from the dead, how say
some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (13)But if
there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ risen;
(14)and if Christ has not risen, then is our preaching vain, and vain
also your faith. (15)And we are also found false witnesses of God;
because we testified of God, that he raised up Christ; whom he raised
not, if it be so that the dead rise not. (16)For if the dead rise not,
neither has Christ risen; (17)and if Christ has not risen, your faith
is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (18)Then also they who have fallen
asleep in Christ have perished. (19)If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
(20)But now Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those
who sleep. (21)For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead. (22)For as in Adam all die, so also in
Christ will all be made alive. (23)But each in his own order; Christ
the first-fruits; afterward they who are Christ's at his coming.
(24)Then comes the end, when he delivers up the kingdom to God, the
Father; when he shall have done away all rule, and all authority and
power. (25)For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his
feet. (26)As the last enemy, Death shall be done away. For he
subjected all things under his feet. (27)But when he says, All things
are subjected, it is manifest that he is excepted, who subjected all
things to him. (28)And when all things shall be subjected to him, then
will also the Son himself be subject to him who subjected all things
to him, that God may be all in all.