To the Church of God in Corinth, to those who have been consecrated by union with Christ Jesus and called to become his People, and also to all, wherever they may be, who invoke the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Master and ours,

This philosophy is not known to any of the leaders of to-day; for, had they known it, they would not have crucified our glorified Lord.

Now what we look for in stewards is that they should be trustworthy.

But come to you I will, and that soon, if it please the Lord; and then I shall find out, not what words these men use who are so puffed up, but what power they possess;

But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.

For, through his wife, the husband who is an unbeliever has become associated with Christ's People; and the wife who is an unbeliever has become associated with Christ's People through our Brother whom she has married. Otherwise your children would be 'defiled,' but, as it is, they belong to Christ's People.

What I mean, Brothers, is this-The time is short. Meanwhile, let those who have wives live as if they had none,

Every athlete exercises self-restraint in everything; they, indeed, for a crown that fades, we for one that is unfading.

That in the cloud and in the sea they all underwent baptism as followers of Moses;

And that they all ate the same supernatural food,

and all drank the same supernatural water, for they used to drink from a supernatural rock which followed them, and that rock was the Christ.

Yet with most of them God was displeased; for they were 'struck down in the desert.'

Nor let us try the patience of the Lord too far, as some of them tried it, with the result that they 'were, one after another, destroyed by the snakes.'

For I, also, try to please everybody in everything, not seeking my own advantage, but that of men in general, that they may be saved.

For just as the human body is one whole, and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many though they are, form but one body, so it is with the Christ;

If, however, they all made up only one part, where would the body be?

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?

If, however, I do not happen to know the language, I shall be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me.

It is said in the Law-'In strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.'

So, when the whole Church meets, if all present use the gift of 'tongues,' and some men who are without the gift, or who are unbelievers, come in, will not they say that you are mad?

If there is no one able to interpret what is said, they should remain silent at the meeting of the Church, and speak to themselves and to God.

At the meetings of the Church married women should remain silent, for they are not allowed to speak in public; they should take a subordinate place, as the Law itself directs.

If they want information on any point, they should ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unbecoming for a married woman to speak at a meeting of the Church.

Whether, then, it was I or whether it was they, this we proclaim, and this you believed.

Yes, and they, who have passed to their rest in union with Christ, perished!

Again, what good will they be doing who are baptized on behalf of the dead? If it is true that the dead do not rise, why are people baptized on their behalf?

Some one, however, may ask 'How do the dead rise? and in what body will they come?'

And, if it appears to be worth while for me to go also, they shall go with me.

I have another request to make of you, Brothers. You remember Stephanas and his household, and that they were the first-fruits gathered in from Greece, and set themselves to serve Christ's People.

I am glad Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have come, for they have made up for your absence;

They have cheered my heart, and your hearts also. Recognize the worth of such men as these.