But if in love, then no longer as a result of obedience. Otherwise love would cease to be love.

But I am speaking to you who were Gentiles.

For, if their being cast aside has meant the reconciliation of the world, what will their reception mean, but Life from the dead?

Yet do not exult over the other branches. But, if you do exult over them, remember that you do not support the root, but that the root supports you.

But branches, you will say, were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.

True; it was because of their want of faith that they were broken off, and it is because of your faith that you are standing. Do not think too highly of yourself, but beware.

From the stand-point of the Good News, the Jews are God's enemies on your account; but from the stand-point of God's selection, they are dear to him on account of the Patriarchs.

Just as you at one time were disobedient to him, but have now found mercy in the day of their disobedience;

Do not conform to the fashion of this world; but be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds, so that you may discern what God's will is--all that is good, acceptable, and perfect.

In fulfillment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I bid every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think till he learns to think soberly--in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each.

So we, by our union in Christ, many though we are, form but one body, and individually we are related one to another as its parts.

Never avenge yourselves, dear friends, but make way for the Wrath of God; for Scripture declares--'"It is for me to avenge, I will requite," says the Lord.'

Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

A good action has nothing to fear from Rulers; a bad action has. Do you want to have no reason to fear the Authorities? Then do what is good, and you will win their praise.

For they are God's servants appointed for your good. But, if you do what is wrong, you may well be afraid; for the sword they carry is not without meaning! They are God's servants to inflict his punishments on those who do wrong.

You are bound, therefore, to obey, not only through fear of God's punishments, but also as a matter of conscience.

As for those whose faith is weak, always receive them as friends, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on their scruples.

For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and gladness through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Do not undo God's work for the sake of what you eat. Though everything is 'clean,' yet, if a man eats so as to put a stumbling- block in the way of others, he does wrong.

But in parts of this letter I have expressed myself somewhat boldly--by way of refreshing your memories--

For I will not dare to speak of anything but what Christ has done through me to win the obedience of the Gentiles--

But as Scripture says--'They to whom he had never been proclaimed shall see; and they who have never heard shall understand!'

But now there are no further openings for me in these parts, and I have for several years been longing to come to you whenever I may be going to Spain.

Who risked their own lives to save mine. It is not I alone who thank them, but all the Churches among the Gentiles thank them also.

For such persons are not serving Christ, our Master, but are slaves to their own appetites; and, by their smooth words and flattery, they deceive simple-minded people.

Every one has heard of your ready obedience. It is true that I am very happy about you, but I want you to be well versed in all that is good, and innocent of all that is bad.

Now to him who is able to strengthen you, as promised in the Good News entrusted to me and in the proclamation of Jesus Christ, in accordance with the revelation of that hidden purpose, which in past ages was kept secret but now has been revealed

But I appeal to you, Brothers, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you profess, and not to allow divisions to exist among you, but to be united-of one mind and of one opinion.

My mission from Christ was not to baptize, but to tell the Good News; not, however, in the language of philosophy, lest the cross of the Christ should be robbed of its meaning.

The Message of the Cross is indeed mere folly to those who are in the path to Ruin, but to us who are in the path of Salvation it is the very power of God.

But to those who have received the Call, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God!

But God chose what the world counts foolish to put its wise men to shame, and God chose what the world counts weak to put its strong things to shame,

But you, by your union with Christ Jesus, belong to God; and Christ, by God's will, became not only our Wisdom, but also our Righteousness, Holiness, and Deliverance,

For I had determined that, while with you, I would know nothing but Jesus Christ-and him crucified!

My Message and my Proclamation were not delivered in the persuasive language of philosophy, but were accompanied by the manifestation of spiritual power,

So that your faith should be based, not on the philosophy of man, but on the power of God.

Yet there is a philosophy that we teach to those whose faith is matured, but it is not the philosophy of to-day, nor that of the leaders of to-day-men whose downfall is at hand.

And as for us, it is not the Spirit of the World that we have received, but the Spirit that comes from God, that we may realize the blessings given to us by him.

And we speak of these gifts, not in language taught by human philosophy, but in language taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things in spiritual words.

But the man with spiritual insight is able to understand everything, although he himself is understood by no one.

But I, Brothers, could not speak to you as men with spiritual insight, but only as worldly-minded-mere infants in the Faith of Christ.

I planted, and Apollos watered, but it was God who caused the growth.

Therefore neither the man who plants, nor the man who waters, is of any account, but only God who causes the growth.

In fulfillment of the charge which God had entrusted to me, I laid the foundation like a skillful master-builder; but another man is now building upon it. Let every one take care how he builds;

If any man's work is burnt up, he will suffer loss; though he himself will escape, but only as one who has passed through fire.

But you are Christ's and Christ is God's.

But it weighs very little with me that I am judged by you or by any human tribunal. No, I do not even judge myself;

Therefore do not pass judgment before the time, but wait till the Lord comes. He will throw light upon what is now dark and obscure, and will reveal the motives in men's minds; and then every one will receive due praise from God.

For who makes any one of you superior to others? And what have you that was not given you? But if you received it as a gift, why do you boast as if you had not?

We, for Christ's sake, are 'fools,' but you, by your union with Christ, are men of discernment. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are despised.

It is with no wish to shame you that I am writing like this; but to warn you as my own dear children.

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;

For the Kingdom of God is based, not on words, but on power.

Therefore let us keep our festival, not with the leaven of former days, nor with the leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

But, as things are, I say that you are not to associate with any one who, although a Brother in name, is immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or abusive, or a drunkard, or grasping-no, not even to sit at table with such people.

While God judges those who are outside? 'Put away the wicked man from among you.'

Such some of you used to be; but you washed yourselves clean. You became Christ's People! you were pronounced righteous through the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the Spirit of our God!

Everything is allowable for me! Yes, but everything is not profitable. Everything is allowable for me! Yes, but for my part, I will not let myself be enslaved by anything.

Food exists for the stomach, and the stomach for food; but God will put an end to both the one and the other. The body, however, exists, not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body;

Shun all immorality. Every other sin that men commit is something outside the body; but an immoral man sins against his own body.

Moreover, you are not your own masters; you were bought, and the price was paid. Therefore, honor God in your bodies.

But, owing to the prevalence of immorality, I advise every man to have his own wife, and every woman her husband.

It is not the wife, but the husband, who exercises power over her body; and so, too, it is not the husband, but the wife, who exercises power over his body.

I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another.

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

To those who are married my direction is-yet it is not mine, but the Master's-that a woman is not to leave her husband

To all others I say-I, not the Master-If a Brother is married to a woman, who is an unbeliever but willing to live with him, he should not divorce her;

And a woman who is married to a man, who is an unbeliever but willing to live with her, should not divorce her husband.

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.

Circumcision is nothing; the want of it is nothing; but to keep the commands of God is everything.

You were bought, and the price was paid. Do not let yourselves become slaves to men.

With regard to unmarried women, I have no command from the Master to give you, but I tell you my opinion, and it is that of a man whom the Master in his mercy has made worthy to be trusted.

still, if you should marry, that is not wrong; nor, if a young woman marries, is that wrong. But those who marry will have much trouble to bear, and my wish is to spare you.

I say this for your own benefit, not with any intention of putting a halter round your necks, but in order to secure for the Master seemly and constant devotion, free from all distraction.

On the other hand, a father, who has definitely made up his mind, and is under no compulsion, but is free to carry out his own wishes, and who has come to the decision, in his own mind, to keep his unmarried daughter at home will be doing right.

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but, if the husband should pass to his rest, the widow is free to marry any one she wishes, provided he is a believer.

With reference, then, to eating food that has been offered to idols-we are aware that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

But take care that this right of yours does not become in any way a stumbling-block to the weak.

If I tell the Good News, I have nothing to boast of, for I can but do so. Woe is me if I do not tell it!

If I do this work willingly, I have a reward; but, if unwillingly, I have been charged to perform a duty.

What is my reward, then? To present the Good News free of all cost, and so make but a sparing use of the rights which it gives me.

No temptation has come upon you that is not common to all mankind. God will not fail you, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength; but, when he sends the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may have strength to endure.

Everything is allowable! Yes, but everything is not profitable. Everything is allowable! Yes, but everything does not build up character.

A man must not study his own interests, but the interests of others.

If an unbeliever invites you to his house and you consent to go, eat anything that is put before you, without making inquiries to satisfy your scruples.

But, if any one should say to you 'This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol,' then, for the sake of the speaker and his scruples, do not eat it.

I do not say 'your' scruples, but 'his.' For why should the freedom that I claim be condemned by the scruples of another?

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.

But I am anxious that you should understand that the Christ is the Head of every man, that man is the Head of woman, and that God is the Head of the Christ.

Indeed, if a woman does not keep her head covered, she may as well cut her hair short. But, since to cut her hair short, or shave it off, marks her as one of the shameless women, let her keep her head covered.

A man ought not to have his head covered, for he has been from the beginning 'the likeness of God' and the reflection of his glory, but woman is the reflection of man's glory.

For it was not man who was taken from woman, but woman who was taken from man.

Besides, man was not created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.

But, if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged.

Gifts differ, but the Spirit is the same;

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;

The human body, I repeat, consists not of one part, but of many.

But in fact God has placed each individual part just where he thought fit in the body.

But in fact, although it has many parts, there is only one body.

As to secure that there should be no disunion in the body, but that the parts should show the same care for one another.