1 Corinthians 12

Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

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

You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit].

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

Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.

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.

Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers].

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

And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served].

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

And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them].

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

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.

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

To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit;

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

to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit;

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

and to another the working of ^[a]miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.

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:

All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.

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

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so ^[b]it is with Christ.

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.

For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].

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 the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs].

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body?

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 ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body?

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 whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

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

But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function].

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

If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be?

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

But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body.

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

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

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.

But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary;

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

and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty,

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.

while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it,

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

so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.

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

And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.

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

Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].

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

So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues.

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.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

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

But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].

And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].

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