1 Corinthians 12

1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

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

2 You know that when you were unbelievers, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.

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

3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by God's Spirit says, "Jesus is accursed." No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit.

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 various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

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

5 There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

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

6 There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.

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

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

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

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;

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, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the 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 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.

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 the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

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 has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, 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 we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink of one Spirit.

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 is not one member, but many.

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

15 If the foot would say, "Because I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body," that would not make it less a part 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 would say, "Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body," that would not make it less a part 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 an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

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 as a matter of fact, God has arranged the members of the body, each one of them, according to his design.

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

19 If they were all the same member, where would the body be?

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

20 So now there are many members, but one body.

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

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for 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 On the contrary, those members which seem to be weaker are essential,

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

23 and the parts which we think less honorable we treat with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with dignity,

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 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the lesser member,

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

25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same concern for one 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 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If a member is honored, all 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 individually.

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

28 God has set some in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of tongues.

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 teachers? Are all miracle workers?

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

30 Do all have gifts of healings? 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 earnestly desire the greater gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

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.