Because of this [i.e., their improper partaking of the Supper], many people among you are weak and ill, and a number have fallen asleep [i.e., died]. [Note: While most commentators view this judgment as physical, there is a distinct possibility that it refers to spiritual sickness and death].

So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another.

You know that there was a time when you were Gentiles, going astray after idols that could not speak, just as you happened to be led.

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.

To each man there is given spiritual illumination for the general good.

And if all the parts were one part, how could there be a [whole] body?

Now, however there are many members, yet one body;

But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary;

So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another.

And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad.

And by God's appointment there are in the Church--first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers. Then come miraculous powers, and then ability to cure diseases or render loving service, or powers of organization, or varieties of the gift of 'tongues.'

She bears up under everything; believes the best in all; there is no limit to her hope, and never will she fall.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love.

For the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] does not speak to people, but to God, for no one can understand him [i.e., unless there is an interpreter or it is the person's native language]; he speaks [previously] unrevealed truths under the influence of the Holy Spirit [or "in his spirit"]. [Note: For a correct understanding of this chapter, it must be kept in mind that Paul is addressing a misuse ofthe gift of speaking in languages supernaturally. The Corinthians were doing this in the wrong way and for the wrong purpose].

Even inanimate things, like the flute or the harp, may give out sounds, but if there is no difference in the notes, how can the tune that is played on the flute or the harp be told?

There may happen to be so many kinds of languages in the world, and, not one, unspoken: -

But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.

For if you [ask God to] bless with your spirit [i.e., in a language supernaturally], how will the person there, who does not have the gift [i.e., of interpreting the language] be able to say, "May it be so," when you offer [a prayer of] thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

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, be prophesying, - and there come in one who is unbelieving or unskilled, he is convicted by all, he is searched by all, the secrets of his heart, become manifest,

What then, brethren? Whenever you assemble, there is not one of you who is not ready either with a song of praise, a sermon, a revelation, a 'tongue,' or an interpretation. Let everything be done with a view to the building up of faith and character.

If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret.

But, if there be none to translate, let him keep silence in assembly, and, unto himself, be speaking, and, unto God!

And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge.

But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.

Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies:

If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.

Now, if, Christ is proclaimed, that, from among the dead, he hath been raised, how say some, among you - resurrection of the dead, there is none?

But, if, resurrection of the dead, there is none, not even Christ, hath been raised;

and if Christ was not raised, the message which we preach has nothing in it; there is nothing in our faith either,

Yes, and we are seen to be false witnesses of God; because we gave witness of God that by his power Christ came again from the dead: which is not true if there is no coming back from the dead.

For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead.

For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him.

Otherwise [i.e., if there were no resurrection], what do people accomplish by being immersed for those who have [already] died? If dead people are not raised up at all, why then are people immersed on their behalf? [Note: The foregoing rendition is the most commonly held one of over

Why do we also risk danger every hour [i.e., if there were no resurrection]?

What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die.

Awake to a righteous life, and cease to sin. There are some who have no true knowledge of God. I speak in this way to shame you.

Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

And there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies, - but, of one kind, indeed, is the glory of the heavenly, and, of another kind, is the glory of the earthly; -

There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star in splendor.

It is sown a body of the soul, it is raised a body of the spirit; if there is a body of the soul, there is also of the spirit: -

And so it is written, There was a first man Adam a living soul; a last Adam a quickening spirit.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

When I get there, I will send on, with credentials, the persons whom you approve, to carry your gift of charity to Jerusalem.

And if it is possible for me to go there, they will go with me.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

If Timothy gets there, see that he is at ease among you, for he is devotedly doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.

But, concerning Apollos the brother, much, did I beseech him, that he would come unto you, with the brethren, but there was, by no means, any will, that he should come, now; - he will come, however, as soon as he hath good opportunity.

for they have refreshed my spirit, and yours. There fore, acknowledge such.

If anyone [there] does not love the Lord, he deserves to be cut off from God. O Lord, come [back soon].

And of you who help together by supplication for us (a gift for us from many persons, because of many), so that there may be gratitude about you.

For we write you nothing other than what you read and understand [there is no double meaning in what we say]. And I hope you will [accurately] understand [divine things] until the end;

And by way of Corinth to go into Macedonia, and from there to come back again to you, so that you might send me on my way to Judaea.

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

As surely as God can be relied on, there has been no equivocation about our message to you.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us??y me and Silvanus and Timotheus??as not yea and nay, but there was yea in him;

For whatever promises of God there are, in him is the yea, and in him the amen, for glory to God by us.

For we do not have [the right to] rule over your faith [i.e., to dictate concerning your personal relationship with God], but we want to work with you for your happiness. For you are [already] standing firm in your faith. [Note: This whole narrative alludes to some unresolved problems still existing there in Corinth].

For if I make you sad, who is there to make me glad but the very man who has been made sad by me?

When you forgive someone, I do, too. Indeed, what I have forgiven if there was anything to forgive I did in the presence of the Messiah for your benefit,

Now when I came to Troas for the good news of Christ, and there was an open door for me in the Lord,

I had no rest of spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.

For if [there was] glory in the ministry of condemnation, by much more will the ministry of righteousness overflow with glory.

For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory.

However, their minds were hardened, for to this day the same veil is still there when they read the old covenant. Only in union with the Messiah is that veil removed.

but even till this day, when Moses is read, there lieth a veil upon their heart;

And, the Lord, is, the Spirit: now, where the Spirit of one who is Lord is, there is freedom!

in whom the god of this age did blind the minds of the unbelieving, that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God;

In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies.

On the contrary, now, no longer, are we gaining it. So that, if any one is in Christ, there is a new creation! the old things, have passed away, - Lo! they have become new!

There is no narrowness in my love; but the narrowness is in your own.

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not?

And what agreement is there between a temple of God and idols? For we are a temple of the living God, just as God said [Lev. 26:12], "I will live in them and walk among them [i.e., among His people]; and I will be their God and they will be my people."

Make room for us in your hearts. There is not one of you whom we have wronged, not one to whom we have done harm, not one over whom we have gained any selfish advantage.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are [nested] in our hearts [and you will remain there] to die together and to live together [with us].

For even when we had come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; there were fightings outside and fears inside.

For the sorrow which God gives is the cause of salvation through a change of heart, in which there is no reason for grief: but the sorrow of the world is a cause of death.

For if there is anything I have boasted to him about you, you did not cause me to be ashamed of it. But as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus [about you] proved to be true also.

So now complete the doing of it also, in order that just as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the accomplishment according to your means.

For if there be first willing mind, the gift is accepted according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not.

It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality—

In order that their surplus may come to be for your deficiency: that there may come about an equality: -

If [there is a question] concerning Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker for you. If [there is a question concerning] our brothers, [they are] messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints:

Lest by any means, if there should come with me Macedonians, and find you unprepared, we, - not to say, ye, - should be put to shame in this confidence.

But this there is to say: He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.

Everyone is to give what he has made up his mind to give; there is to be no grudging or compulsion about it, for God loves the giver who gives cheerfully.

I make this request so that I do not have to be bold when I am present [with you], and feel compelled to speak in an authoritative tone to some people [there] who think we are living by worldly standards.

Such people should consider this: What we say in our letters when we are away is what we will do when we are there.

But we will not boast beyond our proper boundaries [Note: This may mean that Paul was not attempting to exercise apostolic authority outside the parameters assigned to him by God], but will restrict our boasting to the area assigned to us by God as a field of service, which includes you people [there in Corinth].

For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ.

For I consider myself not to be one bit inferior to those "super apostles." [Note: Paul is referring to his opponents there in Corinth who claimed apostolic authority].

And when I was there with you and in need, I was not a [financial] burden to anyone, for when the brothers came from Macedonia they provided me with what I lacked, so I kept myself from being a burden to you in every way and will continue to do so.

Seeing that there are those who take credit to themselves after the flesh, I will do the same.

I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, "We are too 'weak' to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those 'super apostles' there in Corinth were doing"]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.

Are they [i.e., Paul's opponents there in Corinth] Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.