But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.

God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something,

What is Apollos, really? Or what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, and each of us in the ministry the Lord gave us.

For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ.

each builder's work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.

If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward.

If someone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, which is what you are.

Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.

I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn "not to go beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other.

For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside?

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God's commandments is what counts.

If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry.

What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.

No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.

Do you not have houses so that you can eat and drink? Or are you trying to show contempt for the church of God by shaming those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this!

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread,

If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell?

but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside.

It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received -- that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them -- yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them?

If from a human point of view I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what did it benefit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"

Fool! What you sow will not come to life unless it dies.

And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare seed -- perhaps of wheat or something else.

It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.

Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.