the Fourth Week of Advent
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Read the Bible
George Lamsa Translation
1 Corinthians 12
1 NOW concerning spiritual gifts, my brethren, I want to remind you,2 That once you were pagans, and without exception you were carried away by dumb idols.3 Wherefore I want you to understand that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the LORD but by the Holy Spirit.4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but there is only one Spirit.5 And there are diversities of ministries, but there is only one LORD.6 And there are diversities of powers, but it is the one God who works all things in all men.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man as help to him.8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another the means to distinguish the true Spirit; to another divers languages; to another the interpretation of languages.11 But all of these gifts are wrought by that one and the same Spirit, dividing to every one severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, even though many, are one body, so also is Christ.13 For all of us are baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and we have all received through the one Spirit.14 The body is not one member, but many.15 For if the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body; is it therefore not a member of the body?16 And if the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I am not a part of the body; is it therefore not a member of the body?17 If the whole body were eyes, where would hearing be? And if the whole were hearing, where would smelling be?18 But now God has set every member in the body, as it has pleased him.19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?20 But now they are many members, yet but one body.21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor can the head say to the feet, I have no need of you.22 But rather those members of the body which are considered to be delicate are necessary.23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, we bestow more abundant honor; and the parts that are uncomely, we dress with greater care.24 For our comely parts have no need for attention: But God has so tempered the body together, and has given greater honor to the member which is inferior:25 That there may be no discord in the body, but that they may care one for another, all members should be equal.26 So when one member is in pain, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is honored, all the members will glory with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members in your respective places.28 For God has set in his church, first apostles; after them, prophets; then teachers, then performers of miracles, then those who have the gift of healing, helpers, leaders, and speakers in diverse languages.29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak in diverse tongues? or do all interpret?31 But if you are searching for the greater gifts, I will show you a more excellent way.