just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you --

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

but we preach about a crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.

For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.

So then, no more boasting about mere mortals! For everything belongs to you,

One should think about us this way -- as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now.

Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."

Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.

With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.

And I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.

But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife,

and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband.

For it is written in the law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." God is not concerned here about oxen, is he?

If anyone intends to quarrel about this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come.

It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.

If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

Also, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that he raised Christ from the dead, when in reality he did not raise him, if indeed the dead are not raised.

Now, brothers and sisters, you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you

I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.