1 Corinthians 12

1 But, concerning the spiritually gifted, brethren, I am not wishing you to be ignorant.

In the next place, Brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.

2 Ye know that, when ye were of the nations, unto the dumb idols, howsoever ye were being led, ye were seduced.

You know that there was a time when you were Gentiles, going astray after idols that could not speak, just as you happened to be led.

3 Wherefore, I give you to know—that, no one, in God’s Spirit speaking, saith—Accursed Jesus! and, no one, can say—Lord Jesus! save in [the] Holy Spirit.

Therefore I tell you plainly that no one who speaks under the influence of the Spirit of God says ‘JESUS IS ACCURSED,’ and that no one can say ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ except under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

4 But, distributions of gifts, there are, yet the same Spirit,

Gifts differ, but the Spirit is the same;

5 And, distributions of ministries, there are, and the same Lord,

ways of serving differ, yet the Master is the same;

6 And, distributions of energies, there are, and the same God—who energiseth all things in all.

results differ, yet the God who brings about every result is in every case the same.

7 But, unto each one, is given the manifesting of the Spirit, with a view to that which is profitable;

To each man there is given spiritual illumination for the general good.

8 For, unto one, indeed, through the Spirit, is given, a word of wisdom, but, unto another, a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; —

To one is given the power to speak with wisdom through the Spirit; to another the power to speak with knowledge, due to the same Spirit;

9 Unto a different one, faith, in the same Spirit, and, unto another, gifts of healings, in the one Spirit,

to another faith by the same Spirit; to another power to cure diseases by the one Spirit; to another supernatural powers;

10 And, unto another, energies of mighty works, [and], unto another, prophesying, [and], unto another, discriminations of spirits, —unto a different one, kinds of tongues, and, unto another, translation of tongues; —

to another the gift of preaching; to another the gift of distinguishing between true and false inspiration; to another varieties of the gift of ‘tongues’; to another the power to interpret ‘tongues.’

11 But, all these, energiseth the one and the same Spirit, distributing unto each one, peculiarly, even as it is disposed.

All these result from one and the same Spirit, who distributes his gifts to each individually as he wills.

12 For, just as, the body, is one, and yet hath many members, but, all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so, also, the Christ; —

For just as the human body is one whole, and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many though they are, form but one body, so it is with the Christ;

13 For, even to one Spirit, we all, into one body, have been immersed, —whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, —and, all, of one Spirit, have been caused to drink.

for it was by one Spirit that we were all baptized to form one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free men, and were all imbued with one Spirit.

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

The human body, I repeat, consists not of one part, but of many.

15 Though the foot should say—Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, Is it, therefore, not, of the body?

If the foot says ‘Since I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it does not on that account cease to belong to the body.

16 And, though the ear should say—Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, Is it, therefore, not, of the body?

Or if the ear says ‘Since I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it does not on that account cease to belong to the body.

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

If all the body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If it were all hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But, now, hath God set the members, each one of them in the body, even as he pleased.

But in fact God has placed each individual part just where he thought fit in the body.

19 But, if they all had been one member, Where had been, the body?

If, however, they all made up only one part, where would the body be?

20 Now, however there are many members, yet one body;

But in fact, although it has many parts, there is only one body.

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

The eye cannot say to the hand ‘I do not need you,’ nor, again, the head to the feet ‘I do not need you.’

22 Nay! much more, the members which seem to be weaker are necessary,

No! Those parts of the body that seem naturally the weaker are indispensable;

23 And, the parts of the body which we deem to be less honourable, on these, more abundant honour, do we bestow, and, our uncomely parts, have, more abundant comeliness,

and those parts which we deem less honourable we surround with special honour; and our ungraceful parts receive a special grace which our graceful parts do not require.

24 Whereas, our comely parts, have, no need. But, God, hath tempered the body together, —unto that which was lacking, giving more abundant honour; —

Yes, God has so constructed the body — by giving a special honour to the part that lacks it —

25 That there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have, the same, care, one for another;

As to secure that there should be no disunion in the body, but that the parts should show the same care for one another.

26 And, whether one member, suffereth, all the members, suffer with it, or, a member is glorified, all the members, rejoice together.

If one part suffers, all the others suffer with it, and if one part has honour done it, all the others share its joy.

27 Now, ye, are the body of Christ, and members severally; —

Together you are the Body of Christ, and individually its parts.

28 And God hath, indeed, set, certain, in the assembly, —first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that mighty works, then gifts of healings, helps, guidings, kinds of tongues.

In the Church God has appointed, first, Apostles, secondly Preachers, thirdly Teachers; then he has given supernatural powers, then power to cure diseases, aptness for helping others, capacity to govern, varieties of the gift of ‘tongues.’

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all mighty works?

Can every one be an Apostle? can every one be a Preacher? can every one be a Teacher? can every one have supernatural powers?

30 Have, all, gifts of healings? Do, all, with tongues, speak? Do, all, translate?

Can every one have power to cure diseases? can every one speak in ‘tongues’? can every one interpret them?

31 Be envious, however, of the greater gifts; and, yet, a much more excellent way, unto you, I point out: —

Strive for the greater gifts.