And the wife and the virgin are differentiated. The unmarried woman is concerned for the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married is concerned for the things of the world, how s

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;

So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

Still, all men have not that knowledge: but some, being used till now to the image, are conscious that they are taking food which has been offered to the image; and because they are not strong in the faith, their minds are troubled.

But God's approval of us is not based on the food we take: if we do not take it we are no worse for it; and if we take it we are no better.

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.

And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ.

Am I not free? am I not an Apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are you not my work in the Lord?

If to others I am not an Apostle, at least I am one to you: for the fact that you are Christians is the sign that I am an Apostle.

My answer to those who are judging me is this.

or I and Barnabas, are we only excluded the privilege of not working?

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, of this right, over you, are partaking, should not rather, we? nevertheless, we used not this right; but, all such things, do we conceal, - lest we should cause any hindrance unto the glad message of the 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.

now these things were examples to deter us from longing after things that are pernicious, 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.

You have been put to no test but such as is common to man: and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it.

Because we, being a number of persons, are one bread, we are one body: for we all take part in the one bread.

Be looking at Israel after the flesh: - are not, they who eat the sacrifices, joint partakers 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;

Or may we be the cause of envy to the Lord? are we stronger than he?

We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good.

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

If a Gentile makes a feast for you, and you are pleased to go as a guest, take whatever is put before you, without question of right or wrong.

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 from the man, so the man is through the woman; but all things are from God.

Now in what I am going to say, I do not commend you, because your assemblies are not to your advantage, but to your prejudice.

For first of all, it has come to my ears that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and I take the statement to be true in part.

For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen 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.

what, have you no houses to eat and drink in? or have ye a contempt for the church of God, or is it to insult those who are in want? what shall I say to you? shall I commend such behaviour? I do not approve of it.

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 a number of you are feeble and ill, and a number are dead.

But, being brought under judgment, by the Lord, are we being disciplined, lest, with the world, we should be condemned.

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

You are conscious that when you were Gentiles, in whatever way you were guided, you went after images without voice or power.

Now there are different qualities given to men, but the same Spirit.

And there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord.

And there are different operations, but the same God, who is working all things 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:

But all these are the operations of the one and the same Spirit, giving to every man separately as his pleasure is.

For, just as, the body, is one, and yet hath many members, but, all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so, also, the 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.

But now they are all different parts, but one body.

No, those parts which seem to be feeble are the more necessary;

And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect;

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.

Now, ye, are the body of Christ, and members severally; -

And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all mighty works?

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?

you are contesting about the superiority of your gifts: but I point out to you a more 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 ends. But if [there are] prophecies, they will pass away. If [there are] tongues, they will cease. If [there is] knowledge, it will pass away.

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

For now we see as in a mirror, and are baffled, but then face to face; now I know in fragments, but then shall I understand even as I also have been understood.

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 using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying? for you will be talking to the air.

There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.

So, ye, also - since ye are, envious, of spirits, unto the upbuilding of the assembly, seek to be pre-eminent.

Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified.

So that, the tongues, are for a sign - not unto them that believe, but, unto them that believe not; whereas, prophesying, is not for them that believe not, but, for them that believe.

If, then, the whole assembly come together with one consent, and, all, are speaking with tongues, - and there come in persons unskilled or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are raving?

But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all.

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

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 ye are able, one by one, all to prophesy, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted,

And the prophets’ spirits are under the control 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.

the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also 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 the message of God begin with you Corinthians? Or, are you the only people it has reached?

If anyone thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge the things which I am writing to you, - that they are, a commandment, of the Lord.