The First Epistle of PAUL, the Apostle, to the CORINTHIANG.

CHAP. I.

Paul exhorteth to unity.

PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus

world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

21 For after that in the wisdom of God Christ through the will of God, and the world by wisdom knew not God, it Sosthenes our brother, pleased God by the foolishness of preach2 Unto the church of God which is at Co-ing to save them that believe. rinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto 3 Grace be unto you, and peace from the Greeks foolishness; God or Father, and from the Lord 24 But unto them which are called, Jesus Christ. both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power 41 thank my God always on your of God, and the wisdom of God. behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called:

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; 27 But God hath chosen the foolish waiting for the coming of our Lord things of the world to confound the wise: Jesus Christ: and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me 31 That, according as it is written, He of you, my brethren, by them which are that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that every one of

you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos;

and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wis dom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

CHAP. II.

The success of Paul's preaching. AND, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech, Jor of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Ged.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but m demonstration of the Spirit, and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wis 18 For the preaching of the cross is to dom of this world, nor of the princes of them that perish, foolishness; but unto us this world, that come to nought: which are saved, it is the power of God. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in 19 For it is written, I will destroy the a mystery, even the hidden wisdom wisdom of the wise, and will bring to which God ordained before the world nothing the understanding of the prudent. unto our glory;

20 Where is the wise? where is the 8 Which none of the princes of this scribe? where is the disputer of this world knew: for had they known it

Against strife, &c
But let every

they would not have crucified the Lord of another bildeth thereon. glory. man take heed how he buildeth there9 But as it is written, Eye hath not upon. seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered 1 For other foundation can no man lay into the heart of man, the things which than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. God hath prepared for them that love him. 12 Now if any man build uponthis foun10 But God hath revealed them unto us dation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all hay, stubble; things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which ha hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, 13 Which things also we speak, not in he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall the words which man's wisdom teacheth, be saved; yet so as by fire.

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple comparing spiritual things with spiritual. of God, and that the Spirit of God dwell14 But the natural man receiveth not eth in you?

the things of the Spirit of God; for they 17 If any man defile the temple of God, are foolishness unto him: neither can he him shall God destroy: for the temple of know them, because they are spiritually God is holy, which temple ye are. discerned.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all man among you seemeth to be wise in things, yet he himself is judged of no this world, let him become a fool, that he

Paul reproveth their dissensions. ND I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carna!, even as unto babes in Christ. 2

may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this wc:d is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own crafti

ness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours;

have fed you with milk, and not 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, with meat: for hitherto ye were not able for the world, or life, or death, or things to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. present, or things to come; all are yours; 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas 23 And ye are Christ's: and Christ is there is among you envying, and strife, God's. and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

CHAP. IV.

How to account of ministers.
ET man so account of es, as of the

For while one saith, I am of Paulisters of Christ, and tewards of and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

the mysteries of God.

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apol- 2 Moreover, it is required in stewards los, but ministers by whom ye believed, that a man be found faithful. even as the Lord gave to every man? 3 But with me it is a very small thing 6 I have planted, Apollos watered: but that I should be judged of you, or of God gave the increase. man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine

So then, neither is he that planteth own self. any thing, neither he that watereth: 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet but God hat giveth the increase. am I not hereby justified: but he that

8 Now he that planteth and he that judgeth me is the Lord. watereth are one: and every man shal: 5 Therefore judge nothing before the receive his own reward, according to his tune, until the Lord come, who both will own labour. bring to light the hidden things of dark9 For we are labourers together withness, and will make manifest the counGod: ye are God's husbandry, ye are sels of the hearts: and then shall every God's building. man have praise of God.

10 According to the grace of God which 6 And these things, brethren, I have in is given unto me, as a wise master-a figure transferred to myself, and to builder, I have laid the foundation, and Apollos, for your sakes: that ye might

1. CORINTHIANS.

Against going to lav. learn in us not to think of men above this deed might be taken away from that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and & Therefore let us keep the feast, not are buffeted, and have no certain dwell-with old leaven neither with the leaven ing-place; of malice and wickedness; but with the 12 And labour, working with our own unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. hands. Being reviled, we bless; being 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle, not tó persecuted, we suffer it; company with fornicators:

IT is reported commonly that there is 5 1 speak to your shame. Is it so, that fornication ang you, and such for-there is not a wise man anong you? no, nication as is not so much as named not one that shall be able to judge be among the Gentiles, that one should have tween his brethren?

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not and that before the unbelievers. rather mourned, that he that hath donel 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault

Concerning marriage.

CHAP. VII.

Of continency. among you, because ye go to law one 5 Definud ye not cne the other, except with another. Why do ye not rather it be with consent for a time, that ye may take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer give yourselves to fasting and prayer; yourselves to be defrauded? and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and
brethren.
your

that

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not herit the kingdom of God? 7 For I would that all men were even Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor as I myself. But every man hath his idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, proper gift of God, one after this manner, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, and another after that. 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and thein. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15 Know ye not, that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid.

16 What! know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body.

19 What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore giorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

CHAP. VII.

The use of marriage.

NOW concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me; It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his ewn body, but the wife.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide

even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her hushand:

11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord, If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases; but God hath called us to peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 151

Of marriage.

1. CORINTHIANS.

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress; I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

none;

Concerning idols 10 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. CHAP. VIII.

Of eating meats offered to idols

NOW

as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love Cod, the same is known of him.

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not 4 As concerning therefore the eating of sinned: and if a virgin marry she hath those things that are offered in sacrifice not sinned. Nevertheless, such shall have unto idols, we know that an idol is trouble in the flesh; but I spare you. nothing in the world, and that there is 29 But this I say, brethren, The time none other God but one. is short. It remaineth, that both they 5 For though there be that are called that have wives, be as though they had gods, whether in heaven or in carth, (as there be gods many, and lords many ;) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in hin; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by hini. 7 Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as 32 But I would have you without care-a thing offered unto an idol: and their fulness. He that is unmarried, careth for conscience, being weak, is defiled. the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it. For the fashion of this world passeth away.

33 But he that is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak,

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried wo- 10 For if any man see thee, which hast man careth for the things of the Lord, knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's that she may be holy, both in body and temple, shall not the conscience of him in spirit: but she that is married, careth which is weak be emboldened to eat for the things of the world, how she may those things which are offered to idols; please her hushaud. 11 And through thy knowledge shall 35 And this I speak for your own profit; the weak brother perish, for when not that I may cast a snare upon you, Christ died? but for that which is comely, and that 12 But when ye sin so against the ye may attend upon the Lord without brethren, and wound their weak condistraction. science, ye sin against Christ.

36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

CHAP. IX.

37 Nevertheless, he that standeth stead- Ministers ought to live by the gospel. fast in his heart, having no necessity; AM I not an apostle? am I not free? but hath power over his own will, and have I not seen Jesus Christ our hath so decreed in his heart that he will Lord? are not ye niy work in the Lord? keep his virgin, doeth well. 2 if I be not an apostle unto others, yet 38 So then he that giveth her in mar-doubtless I am to you: for the seal of riage doeth well; but he that giveth her mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. not in marriage doeth better.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine

39 The wife is bound by the law as me is this; long as her husband liveth; but if her hus- 4 Have we not power to eat and to band be dead, she is at liberty to be mar-drink?

rled to whom she will only in the Lord 5 Have we not power to lead about a

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