1 N ow concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Now about the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.

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

You know that when you were heathen, you were led off after idols that could not speak as impulse directed and whenever the occasion might arise.

3 W herefore 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.

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the Spirit of God can say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.

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

Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the Spirit remains the same.

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

And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord.

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

And there are distinctive varieties of operation, but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.

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

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for good and profit.

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

To one is given in and through the Spirit a message of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit;

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

To another '> wonder-working] faith by the same Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

10 T o 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:

To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight ( the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the ability to interpret tongues.

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

All these are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually as He chooses.

12 F or 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.

For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

13 F or 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 by '> means of the personal agency of] one Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized '> by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 F or the body is not one member, but many.

For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.

15 I f 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 should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not of the body?

16 A nd 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 should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not of the body?

17 I f the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

If the whole body were an eye, where hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where smell?

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

But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.

19 A nd if they were all one member, where were the body?

But if were all a single organ, where would the body be?

20 B ut now are they many members, yet but one body.

And now there are many limbs and organs, but a single body.

21 A nd 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.

And the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

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

But instead, there is necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak.

23 A nd 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.

And those of the body which we consider rather ignoble are which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum),

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

Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack,

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

So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation, but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.

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

And if one member suffers, all the parts the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members the enjoyment of it.

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

Now you are Christ’s body and you are members of it, each part severally and distinct.

28 A nd 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.

So God has appointed some in the church '> for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; different (unknown) tongues.

29 A re all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles?

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

Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

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

But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way.