Dec 3 - 1 Corinthians 12-14
1 Corinthians
1Now concerning spiritual things, I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers2You know that when you were Gentiles, you approached mute idols, doing what you were led to do3Because of this, I would have you know that no one speaking in the Spirit of God utters a curse against Jesus. And no one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit4Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit5And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord6And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone7However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial8Certainly, to one, through the Spirit, is given words of wisdom; but to another, according to the same Spirit, words of knowledge9to another, in the same Spirit, faith; to another, in the one Spirit, the gift of healing10to another, miraculous works; to another, prophecy; to another, the discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of words11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one according to his will12For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ13And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit14For the body, too, is not one part, but many15If the foot were to say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body," would it then not be of the body16And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body," would it then not be of the body17If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell18But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him19So if they were all one part, how would it be a body20But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body21And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need for your works." And again, the head cannot say to the feet, "You are of no use to me.22In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker23And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect24However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need25so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another26And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it27Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part28And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words29Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers30Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret31But be zealous for the better charisms. And I reveal to you a yet more excellent way
1If I were to speak in the language of men, or of Angels, yet not have charity, I would be like a clanging bell or a crashing cymbal2And if I have prophecy, and learn every mystery, and obtain all knowledge, and possess all faith, so that I could move mountains, yet not have charity, then I am nothing3And if I distribute all my goods in order to feed the poor, and if I hand over my body to be burned, yet not have charity, it offers me nothing4Charity is patient, is kind. Charity does not envy, does not act wrongly, is not inflated5Charity is not ambitious, does not seek for itself, is not provoked to anger, devises no evil6Charity does not rejoice over iniquity, but rejoices in truth7Charity suffers all, believes all, hopes all, endures all8Charity is never torn away, even if prophecies pass away, or languages cease, or knowledge is destroyed9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part10But when the perfect arrives, the imperfect passes away11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood like a child, I thought like a child. But when I became a man, I put aside the things of a child12Now we see through a glass darkly. But then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I am known13But for now, these three continue: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is charity
1Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy2For whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God. For no one understands. Yet by the Spirit, he speaks mysteries3But whoever prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation4Whoever speaks in tongues edifies himself. But whoever prophesies edifies the Church5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more so to prophesy. For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless perhaps he interprets, so that the Church may receive edification6But now, brothers, if I were to come to you speaking in tongues, how would it benefit you, unless instead I speak to you in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine7Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string8For example, if the trumpet made an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for battle9So it is with you also, for unless you utter with the tongue in plain speech, how will it be known what is said? For then you would be speaking into the air10Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice11Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner to me12So it is with you also. And since you are zealous for what is spiritual, seek the edification of the Church, so that you may abound13For this reason, too, whoever speaks in tongues, let him pray for the interpretation14So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit15What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind16Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an "Amen" to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying17In this case, certainly, you give thanks well, but the other person is not edified18I thank my God that I speak in tongues for all of you19But in the Church, I prefer to speak five words from my mind, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues20Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds21It is written in the law: "I will speak to this people with other tongues and other lips, and even so, they will not heed me, says the Lord.22And so, tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; and prophecies are not for unbelievers, but for believers23If then, the entire Church were to gather together as one, and if all were to speak in tongues, and then ignorant or unbelieving persons were to enter, would they not say that you were insane24But if everyone prophesies, and one who is ignorant or unbelieving enters, he may be convinced by it all, because he understands it all25The secrets of his heart are then made manifest. And so, falling to his face, he would adore God, proclaiming that God is truly among you26What is next, brothers? When you gather together, each one of you may have a psalm, or a doctrine, or a revelation, or a language, or an interpretation, but let everything be done for edification27If anyone is speaking in tongues, let there be only two, or at most three, and then in turn, and let someone interpret28But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God29And let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern30But then, if something is revealed to another who is sitting, let the first one become silent31For you are all able to prophesy one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged32For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets33And God is not of dissension, but of peace, just as I also teach in all the churches of the saints34Women should be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak; but instead, they should be subordinate, as the law also says35And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church36So now, did the Word of God proceed from you? Or was it sent to you alone37If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things are the commandments of the Lord38If anyone does not recognize these things, he should not be recognized39And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues40But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper order