1 Corinthians 12

1 Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Now about “spiritual gifts.” My brothers and sisters, I want to explain this to you.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

You know that when you were pagans, you were deceived, being led astray by worshiping idols who couldn't even speak.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Let me make it clear to you: no one who speaks in the Spirit of God says, “Curse Jesus!” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord!” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they come from the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of ministries, but they come from the same Lord.

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

There are different ways of working, but they come from the same God, who is at work in all of them.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The Spirit is given to each of us and is revealed for the good of all.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

One person is given by the Spirit the ability to speak words of wisdom. Another is given a message of knowledge by the same Spirit.

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

Another receives the gift of strongly trusting in God by the same Spirit. Another receives gifts of healing from that one Spirit.

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Another is given the ability to perform miracles. Another receives the gift of prophecy. Another is given the gift of spiritual discernment. Another receives the ability to speak different languages while another is given the gift of interpreting languages.

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

But all of these gifts are the work of the one and the same Spirit, sharing with each person as he alone chooses.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

Just like the human body is one unit but has many parts—all the parts of the body even though there are many of them, make up one body—so is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For it was through one Spirit that we were all baptized into one body. It doesn't matter whether we are Jews or Greeks, slave or free—we all were given the one Spirit to drink.

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

The body is not made of one part, but many parts.

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

If the foot were to say, “Because I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body,” would that make it not part of the body?

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

If the ear were to say, “Because I'm not an eye, I'm not part of the body,” would that make it not part of the body?

17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?

If the whole body was an eye, how could you hear anything? If the whole body was an ear, how could you smell anything?

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

But God has arranged each part in the body, every last one of them, placing them just as he wanted.

19 And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?

If they were all the same part, what would happen to the body?

20 But now [are they] many members, yet but one body.

However, since there are many parts, they make up the body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

The eye can't tell the hand, “I don't need you,” or the head tell the feet, “I don't need you.”

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

Quite the opposite: some of those parts of the body that seem the most insignificant are the most essential.

23 And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness.

In fact those parts of the body we do not consider to be decent to reveal we “honor” more by covering them up—what is indecent we treat with greater modesty!

24 For our comely [parts] have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that [part] which lacked:

What's presentable doesn't need such covering up. God has so arranged the body that more honor is given to the parts that are less presentable.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.

This is so there wouldn't be any conflict within the body—the different parts should care equally for each other.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

So when one part is suffering, all the other parts of the body suffer with it, and when one part is treated well, then all the other parts of the body are happy too!

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one makes up a part of it.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

In the church, God has arranged first for some to be apostles, secondly for some to be prophets, thirdly teachers. Then there are those who perform miracles, those with healing gifts, those who can help others, those good at administration, and those who can speak different languages.

29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?

Not everyone is an apostle, or a prophet, or a teacher, or able to perform miracles.

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Not all have healing gifts, or the ability to speak languages, or to interpret languages.

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

But you should really want to have the most significant gifts. So now I will show you a far better way.