1 Corinthians 12

1 Now concerning spiritual things, my brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

It is important, brethren, that you should have clear knowledge on the subject of spiritual gifts.

2 You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led.

You know that when you were heathens you went astray after dumb idols, wherever you happened to be led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say the Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost.

For this reason I would have you understand that no one speaking under the influence of The Spirit of God ever says, "Jesus is accursed," and that no one is able to say, "Jesus is Lord," except under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit;

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but there is one and the same Spirit;

5 And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;

various forms of official service, and yet one and the same Lord;

6 And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all.

diversities in work, and yet one and the same God--He who in each person brings about the whole result.

7 And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit.

But to each of us a manifestation of the Spirit has been granted for the common good.

8 To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;

To one the utterance of wisdom has been granted through the Spirit; to another the utterance of knowledge in accordance with the will of the same Spirit;

9 To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit;

to a third man, by means of the same Spirit, special faith; to another various gifts of healing, by means of the one Spirit;

10 To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.

to another the exercise of miraculous powers; to another the gift of prophecy; to another the power of discriminating between prophetic utterances; to another varieties of the gift of 'tongues;' to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will.

But these results are all brought about by one and the same Spirit, who bestows His gifts upon each of us in accordance with His own will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ.

For just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with the Church of Christ.

13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink.

For, in fact, in one Spirit all of us--whether we are Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free men--were baptized to form but one body; and we were all nourished by that one Spirit.

14 For the body also is not one member, but many.

For the human body does not consist of one part, but of many.

15 If the foot should say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Were the foot to say, "Because I am not a hand I am not a part of the body," that would not make it any the less a part of the body.

16 And if the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Or were the ear to say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," that would not make it any the less a part of the body.

17 If the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be?

18 But now God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him.

But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body--every one of them--as He has seen fit.

19 And if they all were one member, where would be the body?

If they were all one part, where would the body be?

20 But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.

But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy help; nor again the head to the feet: I have no need of you.

It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, "I do not need you;" or again for the head to say to the feet, "I do not need you."

22 Yea, much more those that seem to be the more feeble members of the body, are more necessary.

No, it is quite otherwise. Even those parts of the body which are apparently somewhat feeble are yet indispensable;

23 And such as we think to be the less honourable members of the body, about these we put more abundant honour; and those that are our uncomely parts, have more abundant comeliness.

and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace, while our graceful parts have everything they need.

24 But our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the more abundant honour,

But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need,

25 That there might be no schism in the body; but the members might be mutually careful one for another.

that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare.

26 And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it.

And if one part is suffering, every other part suffers with it; or if one part is receiving special honor, every other part shares in the joy.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member.

As for you, you are the body of Christ, and individually you are members of it.

28 And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches.

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

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors?

Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all teachers?

30 Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Have all miraculous powers? Have all ability to cure diseases? Do all speak in 'tongues'? Do all interpret?

31 But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a more excellent way.

But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point out to you a way of life which transcends all others.