And the wife and the virgin are different; the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and spirit; but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband.

But if a man thinks he is not acting properly toward the girl to whom he is engaged, if his passions are too strong, and that is what ought to be done, let him do as he pleases; it is no sin; let them be married.

Thus both are right alike in marrying and in refraining from marriage, but he who does not marry will be found to have done better.

Now, concerning the idol-sacrifices, we are aware - because we, all, have knowledge, - knowledge, puffeth up, but, love, buildeth up;

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

But it is not in all of you that such knowledge is found. Some, because of their past habits with idols, even down to the present moment, still eat such food as was really sacrificed to an idol, and so their consciences, because they are overscrupulous, are contaminated.

But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death.

Now if in such a way you sin against your brothers and wound their overscrupulous consciences, you are actually sinning against Christ.

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?

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

My vindication of myself to those who are investigating me is this:

Are we the only ones, Barnabas and I, who have no right to give up manual labor?

for it is written in the law of Moses, "thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." are oxen the objects of divine care?

If we have sown, for your benefit, things that are spiritual, is it a great thing that we reap your carnal things?

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

so the Lord's instructions were that those who proclaim the gospel are to get their living by the gospel?

What are my wages then? The very fact that the Good News which I preach will cost my hearers nothing, so that I cannot be charged with abuse of my privileges as a Christian preacher.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Any man who enters an athletic contest practices rigid self-control in training, only to win a wreath that withers, but we are in to win a wreath that never withers.

But these things are examples for us, that we should not desire evil things, as they did.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Look at the Israelites in their practices. Are not those who eat the sacrifices in spiritual fellowship with the altar?

What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to evil spirits and not to God; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with evil spirits.

Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons;

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

for the earth and its fulness are the Lord's.

If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast , and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience'sake.

Because whether you are eating or whether you are drinking, you are to do it all for the glory of God.

Now I praise you, that in all things ye are mindful of me; and that as I have directed you, ye keep the directions.

But I want you to know that Christ is the [spiritual] head [i.e., authority] over every man; and the man is the [spiritual] head over the woman [Note: The Greek words for "woman" and "wife" are the same. "Wife" is obviously meant by the context]; and God is the head over Christ.

This [i.e., the order of creation] is the reason that the woman should have [a symbol of] authority on her [physical] head [i.e., hair or a shawl to indicate subjection to her husband], and because of the angels. [Note: This difficult phrase probably means that angels, who observe the activities of Christian assemblies, are pleased when they see things being done in their proper order].

however, the man and the woman are equal with respect to the Lord.

for as the woman is of the man, so also the man is through the woman, and the all things are of God.

But while I am on this subject, I cannot approve of your meetings, because they are doing you more harm than good.

For, in the first place, when you meet as a congregation, I hear that there are cliques among you, and I partly believe it.

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord's Supper.

For as you are eating, each one of you partakes of his own supper [ahead of the others], so that one person is [still] hungry while the other gets drunk.

It is not that you have no houses to eat and drink in, is it? Or, are you trying to show your contempt for the church of God and trying to humiliate those who have no houses? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? No, I cannot praise you for this.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming your Lord's death until he come.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Now concerning those who are spiritual, my brethren, I would not have you be mistaken.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, drawn away after the idols that are dumb, even as ye have been led.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

The gifts of the spirit are given to every man to profit the congregation.

For to one are given words of wisdom through the Spirit; and to another words of knowledge through the same Spirit:

These are all produced by one and the same Spirit, and apportioned to each of us just as the Spirit chooses.

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, many as they are, form one body, so it is with Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

On the contrary, the parts of the body that are considered most delicate are indispensable,

and the parts of the body that we think are less honorable are treated with special honor, and we make our less attractive parts more attractive.

But those parts of the body which are beautiful have no need of such care: and so the body has been joined together by God in such a way as to give more honour to those parts which had need of it;

When one member suffers, all the others suffer with it; and when one member is honored, all the members are glad with it.

Ye are the body of Christ, and members one of another.

God appointed some in the church to be, in the first place, apostles, in the second place, prophets, in the third place, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, those of helping and of governing, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles?

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all doers of miracles?

Not all are people with power to cure the sick, are they? Not all are ecstatic speakers, are they? Not all can explain ecstatic speaking, can they?

But zealously seek the gifts that are the best: and yet I shew unto you a more transcendently excellent way.

[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people].

Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil;

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

Love never fails; if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if now exist ecstatic speakings, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will soon be set aside;

For, in part, are we gaining knowledge, and, in part, are we prophesying, -

For now we are looking at a dim reflection in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. Now my knowledge is imperfect, but then I shall know as fully as God knows me.

So faith, hope, and love endure. These are the great three, and the greatest of them is love.

You must pursue love, while you are cultivating the spiritual endowments, and especially inspired preaching.

But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in 'tongues,' what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor of prophecy nor of teaching?

Even with inanimate things, such as a flute or a harp, though they produce sounds, yet unless the notes are quite distinct, how can the tune played on the flute or the harp be recognized?

So if you in your ecstatic speaking utter words no one can understand, how will people know what you are saying? You will be talking to the empty air!

Many kinds of voices are in the world, and none of them are without signification.

So since you are ambitious for spiritual endowments, you must try to excel in them in ways that will do good to the church.

For if you utter blessings in ecstatic speech, how is an ordinary man to say Amen to your thanksgiving? For he does not know what you are saying.

You are giving thanks well enough, but it is doing him no good.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe: but to them that believe not. Contrariwise, prophesying serveth not for them that believe not: but for them which believe.

If therefore when all the congregation is come together, and all speak with tongues, there come in they that are unlearned, or they which believe not: will they not say that ye are out of your wits?

But if they are all inspired to preach and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convinced of his sin by them all, he is called to account by them all,

and so are the secrets of his heart opened: and so falleth he down on his face, and worshippeth God, and saith that God is with you indeed.

What, then, is it, brethren? Whensoever ye are coming together, each one, hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath a translation: - let, all things, be done, unto building up.

And let two or three who are inspired to preach speak, while the rest weigh what is said;

For in this way you can all preach one after another, as you are inspired to, so that everyone may be instructed and stimulated,

For the spirits of the prophets are in the power of the prophets.

For God is not a God whose ways are without order, but a God of peace; as in all the churches of the saints.

Women are to keep quiet in church, for they are not allowed to speak. They must take a subordinate place, just as the Law says.

If, however, they are wishing to learn something, at home, their own husbands, let them question; for it is a shame for a woman to be speaking in assembly.

Did God's message start from you Corinthians? Or are you the only people it has reached?

If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.