False Religion and the Apostle's Defense

1. The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2. “Stand in the gate of Yahweh’s house, and proclaim this word there, and say, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word, all you of Judah, who enter in at these gates to worship Yahweh.’” 3. Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says, “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4. Don’t trust in lying words, saying, ‘Yahweh’s temple, Yahweh’s temple, Yahweh’s temple, are these.’ 5. For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; 6. if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, and don’t walk after other gods to your own hurt; 7. then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even forever more. 8. Behold, you trust in lying words that can’t profit. 9. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known, 10. then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered;’ that you may do all these abominations? 11. Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it,” says Yahweh. 12. “But go now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13. Now, because you have done all these works,” says Yahweh, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you didn’t hear; and I called you, but you didn’t answer; 14. therefore I will do to the house which is called by my name, in which you trust, and to the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. 15. I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, even the whole offspring of Ephraim. 16. “Therefore don’t pray for this people. Don’t lift up a cry or prayer for them or make intercession to me; for I will not hear you. 17. Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18. The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. 19. Do they provoke me to anger?” says Yahweh. “Don’t they provoke themselves, to the confusion of their own faces?” 20. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man, on animal, on the trees of the field, and on the fruit of the ground; and it will burn and will not be quenched.” 21. Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. 22. For I didn’t speak to your fathers or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices; 23. but this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24. But they didn’t listen or turn their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 25. Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. 26. Yet they didn’t listen to me or incline their ear, but made their neck stiff. They did worse than their fathers. 27. “You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. 28. You shall tell them, ‘This is the nation that has not listened to Yahweh their God’s voice, nor received instruction. Truth has perished, and is cut off from their mouth.’ 29. Cut off your hair, and throw it away, and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for Yahweh has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. 30. “For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight,” says Yahweh. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it. 31. They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I didn’t command, nor did it come into my mind. 32. Therefore behold, the days come”, says Yahweh, “that it will no more be called ‘Topheth’ or ‘The valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’; for they will bury in Topheth until there is no place to bury. 33. The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. No one will frighten them away. 34. Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land will become a waste.” 1. “At that time,” says Yahweh, “they will bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of his princes, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves. 2. They will spread them before the sun, the moon, and all the army of the sky, which they have loved, which they have served, after which they have walked, which they have sought, and which they have worshiped. They will not be gathered or be buried. They will be for dung on the surface of the earth. 3. Death will be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them,” says Yahweh of Armies. 4. “Moreover you shall tell them, ‘Yahweh says: “‘Do men fall, and not rise up again? Does one turn away, and not return? 5. Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding? They cling to deceit. They refuse to return. 6. I listened and heard, but they didn’t say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Everyone turns to his course, as a horse that rushes headlong in the battle. 7. Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times. The turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people don’t know Yahweh’s law. 8. “‘How do you say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely. 9. The wise men are disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have rejected Yahweh’s word. What kind of wisdom is in them? 10. Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to those who will possess them. For everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. 11. They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. 12. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed. They couldn’t blush. Therefore they will fall among those who fall. In the time of their visitation they will be cast down, says Yahweh. 13. “‘I will utterly consume them, says Yahweh. No grapes will be on the vine, no figs on the fig tree, and the leaf will fade. The things that I have given them will pass away from them.’” 14. “Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there; for Yahweh our God has put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Yahweh. 15. We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay! 16. The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan. The whole land trembles at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they have come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city and those who dwell therein.” 17. “For, behold, I will send serpents, adders among you, which will not be charmed; and they will bite you,” says Yahweh. 18. Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! My heart is faint within me. 19. Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: “Isn’t Yahweh in Zion? Isn’t her King in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their engraved images, and with foreign idols?” 20. “The harvest is past. The summer has ended, and we are not saved.” 21. For the hurt of the daughter of my people, I am hurt. I mourn. Dismay has taken hold of me. 22. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then isn’t the health of the daughter of my people recovered? 1. Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2. Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3. “They bend their tongue, as their bow, for falsehood. They have grown strong in the land, but not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don’t know me,” says Yahweh. 4. “Everyone beware of his neighbor, and don’t trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go around with slanders. 5. Everyone will deceive their neighbors, and will not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They weary themselves commiting iniquity. 6. Your habitation is in the middle of deceit. Through deceit, they refuse to know me,” says Yahweh. 7. Therefore Yahweh of Armies says, “Behold, I will melt them and test them; for how should I deal with the daughter of my people? 8. Their tongue is a deadly arrow. It speaks deceit. One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart, he waits to ambush him. 9. Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on a nation such as this? 10. I will weep and wail for the mountains, and lament for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are burned up, so that no one passes through; Men can’t hear the voice of the livestock. Both the birds of the sky and the animals have fled. They are gone. 11. “I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling place of jackals. I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” 12. Who is wise enough to understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh has spoken, that he may declare it? Why has the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? 13. Yahweh says, “Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein, 14. but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them.” 15. Therefore Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, “Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. 16. I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.” 17. Yahweh of Armies says, “Consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come. 18. Let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. 19. For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, ‘How we are ruined! We are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.’” 20. Yet hear Yahweh’s word, you women. Let your ear receive the word of his mouth. Teach your daughters wailing, and everyone her neighbor lamentation. 21. For death has come up into our windows. It has entered into our palaces to cut off the children from outside, and the young men from the streets. 22. Speak, “Yahweh says, “‘The dead bodies of men will fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester; and no one will gather them.’” 23. Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches. 24. But let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth; for I delight in these things,” says Yahweh. 25. “Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will punish all those who are circumcised only in their flesh: 26. Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, and all who have the corners of their hair cut off, who dwell in the wilderness; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

1. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord? 2. If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3. My defense to those who examine me is this. 4. Have we no right to eat and to drink? 5. Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6. Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? 7. What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink from the flock’s milk? 8. Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9. For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares, 10. or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope. 11. If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things? 12. If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. 13. Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar? 14. Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News. 15. But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16. For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don’t preach the Good News. 17. For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News. 19. For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. 20. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; 21. to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. 22. To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. 23. Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it. 24. Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. 25. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, 27. but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. 1. Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2. and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3. and all ate the same spiritual food; 4. and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5. However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7. Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8. Let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. 9. Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. 10. Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. 11. Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. 13. No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15. I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? 17. Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread. 18. Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19. What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20. But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. 21. You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 22. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. 24. Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. 25. Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26. for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” 27. But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. 28. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29. Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30. If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for? 31. Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32. Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; 33. even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. 1. Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2. Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 3. But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. 6. For if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered. 7. For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. 8. For man is not from woman, but woman from man; 9. for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10. For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11. Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord. 12. For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God. 13. Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? 14. Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15. But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16. But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies. 17. But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18. For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. 19. For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you. 20. When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21. For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken. 22. What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you. 23. For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. 24. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25. In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” 26. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 29. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. 30. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31. For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33. Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come. 1. Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant. 2. You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. 3. Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit. 4. Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 6. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. 7. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; 9. to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; 10. and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 11. But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires. 12. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 13. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. 14. For the body is not one member, but many. 15. If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16. If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19. If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20. But now they are many members, but one body. 21. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24. whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25. that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28. God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. 29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30. Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? 31. But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you. 1. If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. 3. If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. 4. Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5. doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6. doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10. but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. 11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. 12. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. 13. But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. 1. Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2. For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. 5. Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. 6. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 7. Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? 8. For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 9. So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. 10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11. If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. 12. So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. 13. Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. 14. For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16. Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? 17. For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. 18. I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. 19. However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language. 20. Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. 21. In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.” 22. Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. 23. If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? 24. But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. 25. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed. 26. What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. 27. If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29. Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. 30. But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. 31. For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. 32. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33. for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. 34. Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says, 35. if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.” 36. What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? 37. If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 38. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39. Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1. Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2. by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8. and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9. For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11. Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. 12. Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13. But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. 15. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 20. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21. For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. 24. Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27. For, “He put 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 subjected all things to him. 28. When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. 29. Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? 30. Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? 31. I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32. If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33. Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” 34. Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 35. But someone will say, “How are the dead raised?” and, “With what kind of body do they come?” 36. You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37. That which you sow, you don’t sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 38. But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. 39. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40. There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. 41. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. 45. So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46. However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. 47. The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. 48. As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49. As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let’s also bear the image of the heavenly. 50. Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom; neither does the perishable inherit imperishable. 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53. For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55. “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” 56. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise. 2. On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 3. When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4. If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me. 5. But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia. 6. But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go. 7. For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8. But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9. for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10. Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11. Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers. 12. Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him 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 an opportunity. 13. Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! 14. Let all that you do be done in love. 15. Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints), 16. that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied. 18. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that. 19. The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house. 20. All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21. This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand. 22. If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord! 23. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1. When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; 2. put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite. 3. Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food. 4. Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. 5. Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. 6. Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies: 7. for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8. The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words. 9. Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10. Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless: 11. for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. 12. Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. 13. Don’t withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14. Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol. 15. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine: 16. yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right. 17. Don’t let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all day long. 18. Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off. 19. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path! 20. Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat: 21. for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags. 22. Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. 23. Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 24. The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. 25. Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! 26. My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. 27. For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 28. Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. 29. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30. Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. 31. Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. 32. In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. 33. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things. 34. Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging: 35. “They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another.”