1 Corinthians

Greeting

Paul, called to be an emissary of Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah by the will of the Almĭghty, and Sosthenes our brother. ^1:2To the assembly of the Almĭghty which is at Corinth, to those who have been set apart in Mĕssiah Yĕshūa̒, called to be holy, along with all who call upon the name of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah in every place, theirs and ours. ³Loving-kindness to you and peace from the Almĭghty our Făther and A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah.

⁴I thank my Almĭghty always concerning you, for the loving-kindness of the Almĭghty which was given you in Mĕssiah Yĕshūa̒, ⁵that in everything you are enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge, ⁶even as the testimony concerning Mĕssiah is confirmed in you, ⁷so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah, ⁸who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah. ⁹The Almĭghty is faithful, through whom you are called into fellowship with his Sŏn, Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah our A’dŏnai̱.

Divisions And Quarrels

¹⁰Now I encourage you, brothers, because of the name of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, and that you may be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

¹¹Because I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloes people, that there are quarrels among you. ¹²Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Mĕssiah.” ¹³Has Mĕssiah been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you immersed in the name of Paul? ¹⁴I thank the Almĭghty that I immersed none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵that no man should say you were immersed to my name. ¹⁶Now I did immerse also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I immersed any other.

¹⁷For Mĕssiah did not send me to immerse, but to proclaim the good news, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Mĕssiah should not be emptied of effect.

The Wisdom of the Almighty

¹⁸Because the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of the Almĭghty, ¹⁹because it is written, “I will destroy the ‘wisdom’ of the ‘wise,’ and the ‘cleverness’ of the ‘clever’ I will set aside.” ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not the Almĭghty made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹Because since, in the wisdom of the Almĭghty, the world through its wisdom did not come to know the Almĭghty, the Almĭghty was well-pleased through the ‘foolishness’ of the message proclaimed, to save those affirming faithfulness. ²²Because even Yehūdi̱m ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom, ²³but we proclaim Mĕssiah crucified, to the Yehūdi̱m a stumbling block, and to the nations foolishness, ²⁴but to those who are the called, both Yehūdi̱m and Greeks, Mĕssiah is the power of the Almĭghty and the wisdom of the Almĭghty, ²⁵because the ‘foolishness’ of the Almĭghty is wiser than men, and the weakness of the Almĭghty is stronger than men.

²⁶Because observe your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, ²⁷but the Almĭghty has chosen the ‘foolish things’ of the world to shame ‘the wise,’ and the Almĭghty has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.

²⁸And the low born of the world and the despised, the Almĭghty has chosen himself, things being nothing, so that the things that are exalted he can bring to nothing, ²⁹that no flesh should boast before the Almĭghty.

³⁰But by him, you are in Mĕssiah Yĕshua, who is become wisdom to us from the Almĭghty, and also justice, holiness, and redemption, ³¹that, just as it is written, “Let him who rejoices in himself, rejoice in Yăhwēh.”

The Wisdom Of The Almĭghty

And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquent speech or lofty wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of the Almĭghty, ^2:2because I determined to know nothing among you except Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah, and him crucified. ³And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. ⁴And my message and my proclaiming were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spĭrit and of power, ⁵that your faithfulness should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of the Almĭghty.

⁶Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature—a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away, ⁷but we speak the Almĭghty’s wisdom according a mystery, which has been hidden, which the Almĭghty planned before the ages for our glory, ⁸the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood, because if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the A’dŏnai̱ of glory, ⁹but just as it is written, there are things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, which the Almĭghty has prepared for those who love him.

¹⁰And to us, the Almĭghty has revealed them, through the Spĭrit, because the Spĭrit searches all things, even the deep things of the Almĭghty. ¹¹Because who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the things of the Almĭghty, no one knows, except the Spĭrit of the Almĭghty. ¹²Now we have not received the spirit of the world order, but the Spĭrit which is from the Almĭghty, so that we might know the things freely given to us by the Almĭghty, ¹³which things we also speak, not in human teachings of wise words, but in teachings of the Spĭrit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

¹⁴But a worldly man does not accept the things of the Spĭrit of the Almĭghty, because they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵Now he who is spiritual discerns in everything, and he himself is discerned by no wordly person, ¹⁶because who has known the mind of Yăhwēh, that he should instruct him? And we have the understanding of Mĕssiah.[HEADING]

Sectarianism

And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to worldly men, as to babes in Mĕssiah. ^3:2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, ³because you are still worldly, because where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not worldly, and are you not walking like men? ⁴Because when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? ⁵What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you affirmed faithfulness, even as Yăhwēh gave opportunity to each one. ⁶I planted, Apollos watered, but the Almĭghty was increasing the growth. ⁷So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is something, but only the Almĭghty who increases the growth.

⁸Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor, ⁹because we are the Almĭghty’s fellow workers. You are the Almĭghty’s field, and the Almĭghty’s building. ¹⁰According to the loving-kindness of the Almĭghty, which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it, ¹¹because no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕssiah.

The Testing Of Each Ministry

¹²Then if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³each man’s work will become evident, because the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Your Body is like the Temple

¹⁶Do you not know that you are the temple of the Almĭghty, and that the Spĭrit of the Almĭghty dwells in you? ¹⁷If any man destroys the temple of the Almĭghty, the Almĭghty will destroy him, for the temple of the Almĭghty is holy, and that is what you are.

¹⁸Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise, ¹⁹because the wisdom of this world is foolishness before the Almĭghty. Because it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰and again, “Yăhwēh knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” ²¹So then let no one boast in men, because all things relate to you, ²²whether Paul or Apollos or Kēi̱pha’ or the world or life or death or things present or things to come. All things relate to you, ²³and you relate to Mĕssiah, and Mĕssiah relates to the Almĭghty.

Faithfulness In The Ministry

Likewise, let a man consider us, as servants of Mĕssiah, and administrators of the mysteries of the Almĭghty. ^4:2Moreover here, it is required of administrators that each should have been found faithful. ³But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even examine myself, ⁴because I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this justified, but the one who examines me is Yăhwēh. ⁵Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until Yăhwēh comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness, and disclose the motives of men’s hearts, and then each man’s praise will come to him from the Almĭghty.

⁶Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you is arrogant on behalf of one against the other, ⁷because who is going to judge you? And what do you have that you have not received? But if you did receive it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it? ⁸You are already filled! You have already become rich, you have reigned without us, and I would indeed that you have reigned so that we also might reign with you, ⁹because, I think, the Almĭghty has exhibited us emissaries last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to messengers and to men.

¹⁰We are fools for Mĕssiah’s sake, but you are prudent in Mĕssiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are distinguished, but we are without honor. ¹¹To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless, ¹²and we toil, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. ¹³When we are slandered, we try to conciliate. We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

¹⁴I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children, ¹⁵because if you were to have ten thousand tutors in Mĕssiah, yet you would not have many fathers, because in Mĕssiah Yĕshūa̒ I became your father through the good news. ¹⁶I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. ¹⁷For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in Yăhwēh, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Mĕssiah, just as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

¹⁸Now some have been arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹But I will come to you soon, if Yăhwēh wills, and I will find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, so much as their power, ²⁰because the kingdom of the Almĭghty does not consist in words, so much as in power. ²¹What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

The Immoral ‘Brother’

ITis actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the nations, that someone has his father’s wife. ^5:2And you have become arrogant, and have not mourned instead, in order that the one who had done this deed might be removed from your midst. ³For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. ⁴In the name of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshua, ⁵deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his fleshliness, so that his spirit might be saved in the day of A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒.

⁶Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷Clean out the old leaven, that you may be a new batch of dough, just as you are being de-leavened, and because Mĕssiah our Passover also has been sacrificed.

⁸Let us therefore celebrate the Passover feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people. ¹⁰I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, because then you would have to go out of the world. ¹¹But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one, ¹²because what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the assembly? ¹³But those who are outside, the Almĭghty judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

Legal Disputes Between Brothers

Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the holy ones? ^6:2Or do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? ³Do you not know that we will judge messengers? How much more, matters of this life? ⁴If then you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the assembly? ⁵I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brothers, ⁶but brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unfaithful?

⁷Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that your brothers. ⁹Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of the Almĭghty? Do not be deceived! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men acting like women, nor homosexuals, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of the Almĭghty. ¹¹And such were some of you. But you were washed. But you were set apart. But you have been administered justice in the name of Adŏnai Yĕshua the Mĕssiah, and by the Spĭrit of our Almĭghty.

Paul Addresses Gnostic Reasoning

¹²You say, “All things are permitted for me,” but not all things are profitable. You say, “All things are permitted for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

¹³You say, “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food,” but the Almĭghty can do away with both of them. And the body is not for immorality, but to serve A’dŏnai̱, and A’dŏnai̱ is concerned with the body. ¹⁴Now the Almĭghty has not only raised A’dŏnai̱, but will also raise us up through his power.

¹⁵Do you not know that your bodies are members of Mĕssiah? Shall I then take away the members of Mĕssiah and make them members of a harlot? May it never be! ¹⁶Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a harlot is united in body with her? For he says, “The two will become one flesh.”

¹⁷But the one who joins himself to Yăhwēh is united in spirit with him. ¹⁸Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. ¹⁹Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spĭrit, who is in you, whom you have from the Almĭghty, and that you are not your own? ²⁰Because you have been bought with a price. Therefore glorify the Almĭghty in your body.

Paul’s Opinion On Marriage

Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. ^7:2But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each have her own husband. ³Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. ⁴The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. ⁵Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ⁶But this I say by way of concession, not of command. ⁷Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from the Almĭghty, one in this manner, and another in that.

⁸But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. ⁹But if they do not have self-control, let them marry, because it is better to marry than to burn.

Separation Without A Bill Of Divorcement

¹⁰But to the married I give instructions, not I, but Yăhweh, that the wife should not be separated from her husband ¹¹(but if she is separated, let her remain unmarried to any other, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.

The Mixed Marriages Of New Converts

¹²But to the rest I say, not Yăhweh, that if any brother has a wife who is not one of the faithful, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. ¹³And a woman who has husband that is not one of the faithful, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

¹⁴For the husband, who is not one of the faithful, is sanctified through his wife, and the wife, who is not one of the faithful, is sanctified through her faithful husband, because otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. ¹⁵Yet if the one outside the faith leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but the Almĭghty has called us to peace.

¹⁶For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

¹⁷Only, as Yăhweh has assigned to each one, as the Almĭghty has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the assemblies.

Is It Necessary To Be Yehūdi̱?

¹⁸Was any man called already having a circumcision? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called without a circumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

¹⁹Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of the Almĭghty. ²⁰Let each man remain in that calling in which he was called.

Slavery

²¹Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it, but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. ²²For he who was called in Yăhweh while a slave, is Yăhweh’s freedman. Likewise he who was called while free is Mĕssiah’s slave. ²³You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men. ²⁴Brothers, let each man remain with the Almĭghty in that calling in which he was called.

²⁵Now concerning virgins I have no command of Yăhweh, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of Yăhweh is trustworthy. ²⁶I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. ²⁷Are you bound to an unbelieving wife? Do not seek to be divorced. Are you divorced from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸But if you should marry, you have not sinned, and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. ²⁹But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none, ³⁰and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; ³¹and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

³²But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of Yăhweh, how he may please Yăhweh, ³³but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of Yăhweh, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵And this I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to Yăhweh.

³⁶But if any man supposes that he is rude toward his fiancé, if she could be past age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin. Let them marry.

³⁷But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his virginity, he will do well. ³⁸So then both he who marries his fiancé does well, and he who does not marry will do better.

³⁹A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband sleeps, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in Yăhweh. ⁴⁰But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is, and I think that I also have the Spĭrit of the Almĭghty.

Idol Sacrifices

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. ^8:2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know, ³but if anyone loves the Almĭghty, he is known by him.

⁴Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is powerless in the world, and that there is no Almĭghty but one. ⁵Because even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, ⁶yet for us there is one Almĭghty, the Făther from whom are all things, and we exist for him, and one A̕dŏnai̱, Yĕshua the Mĕssiah, through whom are all things, and we exist through him.

⁷However not all men have this knowledge, but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience being weak is defiled. ⁸But food will not commend us to the Almĭghty. We are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. ⁹But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak, ¹⁰because if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? ¹¹And so through your knowledge he who is weak is destroyed, the brother for whose sake Mĕssiah died. ¹²And thus, by sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Mĕssiah.

¹³Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will not eat meat for a long time, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.

Paul’s Use of Liberty

AMI not free? Am I not an emissary? Have I not seen Yĕshūa̒ our A̕dŏnai̱? Are you not my work in Yăhwēh? ^9:2If to others I am not an emissary, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my emissaryship in Yăhwēh. ³My defense to those who examine me is this:

⁴Do we not have a right to eat and drink? ⁵Do we not have a right to take along a sister in the faith as a wife, even as the rest of the emissaries, even the brothers of A̕dōnai̱, and Kēpha̕? ⁶Or do only Bar-Nabba̕ and I not have a right to refrain from working? ⁷Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? ⁸I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? ⁹Because it is written in the Law of Mōshēh, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” The Almĭghty is not only concerned about oxen, is he? ¹⁰Or is he speaking also in every way for our sake? Yes, also for our benefit it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. ¹¹If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? ^12aIf others share the right over you, do we not more?

^12bNevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the good news of Mĕssiah. ¹³Do you not know that those who work at the priestly duties eat the food of the Temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share with the altar? ¹⁴So also Yăhweh directed those who proclaim the good news to get their living from the good news.

¹⁵But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things that it may be done so in my case, because it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. ¹⁶Because when I proclaim the good news, I have nothing to boast of, because I am under compulsion, because woe is me if I do not proclaim the good news. ¹⁷Indeed, if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward, but if against my will, then for an administration I have been affirmed faithful. ¹⁸What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the good news, I may offer the good news without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the good news.

¹⁹For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. ²⁰And to the Yehūdi̱m I became as a Yehūdi̱, that I might win Yehūdi̱m. To those subject to a custom, as subject to the custom, though not being myself subject to the custom, that I might win those subject to tradition. ²¹To those who are without tradition, as without tradition, though not being without the Law of the Almĭghty, but according to Mĕssiah’s Law, that I might win those without tradition.

²²To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

²³And I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a fellow partaker of it. ²⁴Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim. I box in such a way, as not beating the air, ²⁷but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have proclaimed to others, I myself should be disqualified.

Examples From Yisra’ēl’s Past

Because I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. ^10:2And all were immersed into Mōshēh in the cloud and in the sea. ³And all ate the same spiritual food. ⁴And all drank the same spiritual drink, because they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Mĕssiah. ⁵Nevertheless, with most of them the Almĭghty was not well-pleased, because they were laid low in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. ⁷And do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” ⁸Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. ⁹Nor let us try Yăhwēh, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. ¹⁰Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

¹¹Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹²Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. And the Almĭghty is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

¹⁴Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵I speak as to wise men. You judge what I say. ¹⁶Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a fellowshipping of the blood of the Mĕssiah? Is not the bread which we break a fellowshipping of the body of the Mĕssiah? ¹⁷Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body, because we all partake of the one bread. ¹⁸Look at the nation Yisra’ēl. Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellowshippers of the altar? ¹⁹What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols has any power, or that an idol has any power? ²⁰No, but I say that the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to the Almĭghty. And I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

²¹You cannot drink the cup of Yăhwēh and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of Yăhwēh and the table of demons. ²²Or do we provoke Yăhwēh to jealousy? We are not stronger than he, are we?

²³They say “All things are lawful,” but, I say not all things are profitable. They say, “All things are lawful”, but, I say not all things edify. ²⁴Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

²⁵Eat anything that is sold in the market, without asking questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶for the earth is Yăhweh’s, and all it contains. ²⁷If one of the pagans invites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience’ sake.

²⁸But if anyone should say to you, “This is dedicated to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed, and for conscience’ sake; ²⁹I mean not your own conscience, so much as the other; for why is my freedom decided by another’s conscience?

³⁰If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? ³¹Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of the Almĭghty. ³²Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the Assembly of the Almĭghty; ³³just as I also please all men in the course of all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Live Like Mĕssiah Lived

BEimitators of me, just as I also am of Mĕssiah. ^11:2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. ³But I want you to understand that Mĕssiah is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and the Almĭghty is the head of Mĕssiah.

⁴Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head. ⁵But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head, because she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved. ⁶Because if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off, but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.

⁷For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of the Almĭghty, but the woman is the glory of man, ⁸because man does not originate from woman, but woman from man, ⁹because indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. ¹⁰Therefore the woman ought to keep control over her head, for the sake of the messengers. ¹¹However, in Yăhwēh, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. ¹²For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman, and all things originate from the Almĭghty. ¹³Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to the Almĭghty with head uncovered? ¹⁴Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, ¹⁵but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? Because her hair is given to her for a covering. ¹⁶But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the assemblies of the Almĭghty.

Concerning The Passover Memorial

¹⁷Now about this directive, I do not praise you, because it is not for the better, but for the worse that you gather together. ¹⁸Because on the one hand, firstly, in your coming together in the Assembly, I hear that there are schisms among you, and in part some of it I consider trustworthy, ¹⁹because it is inevitable even for heresies to occur among you, with the result that also those approved may become manifest among you. ²⁰At your coming together, therefore, at the same place, it is not A’dŏnai̱’s supper to eat, ²¹because each party its own supper takes beforehand during the eating. On the one hand one is hungry, and on the other another is drunk.

²²Because do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise the Assembly of the Almĭghty, and humiliate those having nothing? What shall I say to you? Can I praise you? In this I do not praise! ²³Because I have received from A’dŏnai̱ what even I delivered to you, because A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshūa̒ in the night which he had been betrayed took bread, ²⁴and having blessed, he broke it and said, “This represents my body which is for you. Do this for the memorial of me.” ²⁵Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This is the cup of the renewed covenant, which is with my blood. Do this as often soever you can drink it, for the memorial of me.” ²⁶Because as often soever you can eat this bread and this cup drink, the death of A’dŏnai̱ you proclaim until he can come. ²⁷So then who ever should eat the bread or may drink the cup of A’dŏnai̱ unworthily, will be guilty of the body and of the blood of A’dŏnai̱. ²⁸Now let a man test himself, and thus from the bread let him eat, and from the cup let him drink, ²⁹because the one eating and drinking, judgment to himself will eat and will drink, if he is not discerning the body. ³⁰Because of this, among you many are sick and ill and a substantial number have fallen asleep.

³¹But if we were discerning ourselves, we would not have been judged. ³²And in being judged by A’dŏnai̱, we are being disciplined so that we should not be condemned with the world. ³³So then, my brothers, in coming together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴If anyone hungers, at home let him eat so that you may not come together for judgment. And I myself will give commandment when I come about the rest of the things.

Use Spiritual Talents And Gifts Wisely

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. ^12:2You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led. ³Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spĭrit of the Almĭghty says, “Yĕshūa̒ is accursed”, and no one can say, “A̕dōnai̱ Yĕshūa̒” except by the Holy Spĭrit.

⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spĭrit. ⁵And there are varieties of ministries, and the same A̕dōnai̱. ⁶And there are different kinds of jobs, but the same Almĭghty who works with all things for all. ⁷But to each one is given the revelation of the Spĭrit for the common good. ⁸On the one hand, therefore, to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spĭrit, but to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spĭrit. ⁹To another is given courage by the same Spĭrit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spĭrit, ¹⁰and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages.

¹¹But one and the same Spĭrit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as he wills. ¹²Because even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Mĕssiah. ¹³Because by one Spĭrit we were all immersed into one body, whether Yehūdi̱m or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spĭrit.

¹⁴Because the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, “because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, “because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But now the Almĭghty has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. ¹⁹And if they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰But now there are many members, but one body. ²¹And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”, or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²²On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³And those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness, ²⁴whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But the Almĭghty has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, ²⁵that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷Now you are Mĕssiah’s body, and individually members of it. ²⁸And the Almĭghty has appointed in the Assembly, first emissaries, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of languages. ²⁹All are not emissaries, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? ³⁰All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with languages, do they? All do not translate, do they? ³¹But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

Trust, Love, and Faithfulness

IFI speak with the languages of men and of angelic messengers, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ^13:2And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faithfulness, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵and does not act unbecomingly. It does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not consider a wrong suffered, ⁶does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It bears all things, affirms faithful all things, hopes for all things, endures in all things. ⁸Love never fails, but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away. If there are languages, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will be done away, ⁹because we know in part, and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

¹¹When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reckon as a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things, ¹²because now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. ¹³But now abide faithfulness, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.

Speaking In Languages vs. Prophecy

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual things, more yet especially that you may prophesy. ^14:2For one who speaks in a foreign language does not speak to men, but to the Almĭghty, because no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

³But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. ⁴One who speaks in a foreign language edifies himself, but one who prophesies edifies the assembly. ⁵Now I wish that you all spoke in languages more yet so that you would prophesy, but greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in languages, unless he interprets, so that the assembly may receive edifying.

⁶But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in languages, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? ⁷Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? ⁸For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of voices in the world, and none is without meaning. ¹¹If then I do not know the meaning of the voice, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. ¹²So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the assembly.

¹³Therefore let one who speaks in a language pray so that one can interpret. ¹⁴For if I pray in a language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵What is the outcome then? I will pray in the spirit and I will pray for the understanding also. I will sing in the spirit and I will sing for the understanding also. ¹⁶Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amæn” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. ¹⁸I thank the Almĭghty, I speak in languages more than you all, ¹⁹however, in the assembly I desire to speak five words because of my understanding, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a language.

Order In The Assembly

²⁰Brothers, do not be children in your thinking, yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹In the Law it is written, “By men of other languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me, says Yăhweh.” ²²So then languages are for a sign, not to those who confirm their faithfulness, but to the unfaithful, but prophecy is for a sign, not to the unfaithful, but to those who affirm their faithfulness.

²³If therefore the whole assembly should assemble together and all speak in languages, and unlearned men or unfaithful ones enter, will they not say that you are mad? ²⁴But if all prophesy, and an unfaithful one or an unlearned man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all. ²⁵The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so he will fall on his face and worship the Almĭghty, declaring that the Almĭghty is certainly among you.

²⁶What is the outcome then, brothers? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. ²⁷If anyone speaks in a language, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret, ²⁸but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to the Almĭghty. ²⁹And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. ³⁰But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted, ³²and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets, ³³because the Almĭghty is not an Almĭghty of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the holy ones.

³⁴Let the women keep quiet in the assemblies, because they are not permitted to carry on, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. ³⁵And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, because it is improper for a woman to carry on in the assembly.

³⁶Was it from you that the word of the Almĭghty first went forth? Or has it come to you only? ³⁷If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are Yăhweh’s commandment. ³⁸But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

³⁹Therefore, my brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in languages. ⁴⁰But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Messiah's Resurrection On The Third Day

Now I make known to you, brothers, the good news which I proclaimed to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ^15:2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I proclaimed to you, unless you affirmed faithfulness in vain, ³because I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Mĕssiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵and that he appeared to Kēi̱pha’, then to the twelve. ⁶After that he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷Then he appeared to Ya‘aqōv̱, then to all the emissaries. ⁸And last of all, as it were to one untimely born, he appeared to me also.

⁹For I am the least of the emissaries, who am not fit to be called an emissary, because I persecuted the Assembly of the Almĭghty. ¹⁰But by the loving-kindness of the Almĭghty I am what I am, and his loving-kindness toward me did not prove vain. But I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the loving-kindness of the Almĭghty with me. ¹¹Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim, and in this way you have affirmed faithfulness.

¹²Now if Mĕssiah is proclaimed, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Mĕssiah has been raised, ¹⁴and if Mĕssiah has not been raised, then our proclaiming is vain, your faithfulness also is vain. ¹⁵Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of the Almĭghty, because we witnessed against the Almĭghty that he raised Mĕssiah, whom he did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶For if the dead are not raised, not even Mĕssiah has been raised. ¹⁷And if Mĕssiah has not been raised, your faithfulness is worthless. You are still in your sins. ¹⁸Then those also who have fallen asleep in Mĕssiah have perished. ¹⁹If we have hoped in Mĕssiah in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Messiah, The Firstfruits

²⁰But now Mĕssiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. ²¹For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²²For as in A’dam all die, so also in Mĕssiah all will be made alive.

²³But each in his own order: Mĕssiah, the first fruits, after that those who are Mĕssiah’s at his coming, ²⁴then comes the end, when he can deliver the kingdom for the Almĭghty and Făther, when he can abolish all contrary rule and all authority and power. ²⁵For he must reign this way until he can put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶The last enemy that will be abolished is death. ²⁷For he puts all things in subjection under his feet. But when he says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that he is excepted who puts all things in subjection to him. ²⁸And when all things are subjected to him, then the Sŏn himself will remain subject to him who subjected all things to him, wherein the Almĭghty can be all things—in all things.

²⁹Otherwise, what will those do who are immersed? Is it for the dead—if the dead are not raised at all? Why then are they immersed for them? ³⁰Why are we also in danger every hour? ³¹I protest, brothers, by the boasting in you, which I have in Mĕssiah Yĕshua our Adŏnai, I die daily. ³²If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” ³³Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” ³⁴become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning, because some have no knowledge of the Almĭghty. I speak this to your shame.

³⁵But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” ³⁶You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies, ³⁷and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸But the Almĭghty gives it a body just as he wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. ³⁹All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. ⁴⁰There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. ⁴¹There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, because star differs from star in glory.

⁴²So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body. ⁴³It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵So also it is written, “The first man, A’dam, became a living soul.” The last Adam is a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. ⁴⁷The first man is from the earth, earthy. The second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy. And as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

Yĕshūa̒ Comes At The Last Trumpet

⁵⁰Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of the Almĭghty, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shōfar; for the shōfar will sound, and the dead be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the norm, ⁵⁷but thanks be to the Almĭghty, who gives us the victory through our Adŏnai Yĕshua the Mĕssiah.

⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of Yăhwēh, knowing that your toil is not in vain in Yăhwēh.

First Sabbath and Shav̱ū‘ōt

Now concerning the collection for the holy ones, as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so do you also. ^16:2Down through the first of the Sabbaths let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. ³And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Yerūshalayim. ⁴And if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.

⁵But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, because I am going through Macedonia. ⁶And perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me on my way wherever I may go, ⁷because I do not wish to see you now just in passing, because I hope to remain with you for some time, if Yăhwēh permits. ⁸But I will remain in Ephesus until Shav̱ū‘ōt, ⁹because a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, because he is doing Yăhwēh’s work, as I also am. ¹¹Let no one therefore despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me, because I expect him with the brothers.

¹²But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brothers, and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

¹³Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹⁴Let all that you do be done in love.

¹⁵Now I urge you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the holy ones), ¹⁶that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. ¹⁷And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. ¹⁸Because they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

¹⁹The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in Yăhwēh, with the assembly that is in their house. ²⁰All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ²¹The greeting is in my hand, Paul. ²²If anyone does not love Yăhwēh, let him be accursed. Maran ē’tʰa’. ²³The loving-kindness of A’dŏnai̱ Yĕshua be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Mĕssiah Yĕshūa̒. A’mēn.