4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. 5 It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. 6 It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.

8 Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. 9 Our knowledge is incomplete and our ability to speak what God has revealed is incomplete. 10 But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways. 12 Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me.

13 So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love.

Speak in Ways That Can Be Understood 14 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed. 2 When a person speaks in another language, he doesn't speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries. 3 But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them. 4 When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow. 5 I wish that all of you could speak in other languages, but especially that you could speak what God has revealed. The person who speaks what God has revealed is more important than the person who speaks in other languages. This is true unless he can interpret what he says to help the church grow. 6 Brothers and sisters, it wouldn't do you any good if I came to you speaking in other languages, unless I explained revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine to you.

7 Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? 8 For example, if the trumpet doesn't sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 In the same way, if you don't speak in a way that can be understood, how will anyone know what you're saying? You will be talking into thin air.

10 No matter how many different languages there are in the world, not one of them is without meaning. 11 If I don't know what a language means, I will be a foreigner to the person who speaks it and that person will be a foreigner to me. 12 In the same way, since you're eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow. 13 So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says.

14 If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive. 15 So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you praise God only with your spirit, how can outsiders say "Amen!" to your prayer of thanksgiving? They don't know what you're saying. 17 Your prayer of thanksgiving may be very good, but it doesn't help other people grow. 18 I thank God that I speak in other languages more than any of you. 19 Yet, in order to teach others in church, I would rather say five words that can be understood than ten thousand words in another language.

20 Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but think like mature people. 21 God's word says, "Through people who speak foreign languages and through the mouths of foreigners I will speak to these people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

22 So the gift of speaking in other languages is a sign for unbelievers, not for believers. The gift of speaking what God has revealed is a sign for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 Suppose the whole congregation gathers in the same place and you speak in other languages. When outsiders or unbelievers come in, won't they say that you're out of your mind? 24 Now suppose you speak what God has revealed. When unbelievers or outsiders come in you will show them where they are wrong and convince them that they are sinners. 25 The secrets in their hearts will become known, and in this way they will quickly bow with their faces touching the ground, worship God, and confess that God is truly among you.

Maintain Order in Your Worship Services 26 So what does this mean, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each person has a psalm, doctrine, revelation, another language, or an interpretation. Everything must be done to help each other grow. 27 If people speak in other languages, only two or three at the most should speak. They should do it one at a time, and someone must interpret what each person says. 28 But if an interpreter isn't present, those people should remain silent in church. They should only speak to themselves and to God.

29 Two or three people should speak what God has revealed. Everyone else should decide whether what each person said is right or wrong. 30 If God reveals something to another person who is seated, the first speaker should be silent. 31 All of you can take your turns speaking what God has revealed. In that way, everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 People who speak what God has revealed must control themselves. 33 God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace.

As in all the churches of God's holy people, 34 the women must keep silent. They don't have the right to speak. They must take their place as Moses' Teachings say. 35 If they want to know anything they should ask their husbands at home. It's shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?

37 Whoever thinks that he speaks for God or that he is spiritually gifted must acknowledge that what I write to you is what the Lord commands. 38 But whoever ignores what I write should be ignored.

39 So, brothers and sisters, desire to speak what God has revealed, and don't keep anyone from speaking in other languages. 40 Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.

Jesus Came Back to Life 15 1 Brothers and sisters, I'm making known to you the Good News which I already told you, which you received, and on which your faith is based. 2 In addition, you are saved by this Good News if you hold on to the doctrine I taught you, unless you believed it without thinking it over. 3 I passed on to you the most important points of doctrine that I had received: Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted.

4 He was placed in a tomb.

He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted.

5 He appeared to Cephas.a Next he appeared to the twelve apostles. 6 Then he appeared to more than 500 believers at one time. (Most of these people are still living, but some have died.) 7 Next he appeared to James. Then he appeared to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, he also appeared to me.

I'm like an aborted fetus who was given life. 9 I'm the least of the apostles. I'm not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church. 10 But God's kindnessb made me what I am, and that kindness was not wasted on me. Instead, I worked harder than all the others. It was not I who did it, but God's kindness was with me. 11 So, whether it was I or someone else, this is the message we brought you, and this is what you believed.

We Will Come Back to Life 12 If we have told you that Christ has been brought back to life, how can some of you say that coming back from the dead is impossible? 13 If the dead can't be brought back to life, then Christ hasn't come back to life. 14 If Christ hasn't come back to life, our message has no meaning and your faith also has no meaning. 15 In addition, we are obviously witnesses who lied about God because we testified that he brought Christ back to life. But if it's true that the dead don't come back to life, then God didn't bring Christ back to life. 16 Certainly, if the dead don't come back to life, then Christ hasn't come back to life either. 17 If Christ hasn't come back to life, your faith is worthless and sin still has you in its power. 18 Then those who have died as believers in Christ no longer exist. 19 If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people.

20 But now Christ has come back from the dead. He is the very first person of those who have died to come back to life. 21 Since a man brought death, a man also brought life back from death. 22 As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ. 23 This will happen to each person in his own turn. Christ is the first, then at his coming, those who belong to him will be made alive. 24 Then the end will come. Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father as he destroys every ruler, authority, and power.

25 Christ must rule until God has put every enemy under his control. 26 The last enemy he will destroy is death. 27 Clearly, God has put everything under Christ's authority. When God says that everything has been put under Christ's authority, this clearly excludes God, since God has put everything under Christ's authority. 28 But when God puts everything under Christ's authority, the Son will put himself under God's authority, since God had put everything under the Son's authority. Then God will be in control of everything.

29 However, people are baptized because the dead will come back to life. What will they do? If the dead can't come back to life, why do people get baptized as if they can come back to life?

30 Why are we constantly putting ourselves in danger? 31 Brothers and sisters, I swear to you on my pride in you which Christ Yeshua our Lord has given me: I face death every day. 32 If I have fought with wild animals in Ephesus, what have I gained according to the way people look at things? If the dead are not brought back to life, "Let's eat and drink because tomorrow we're going to die!" 33 Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. 34 Come back to the right point of view, and stop sinning. Some people don't know anything about God. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

We Will Have Bodies That Will Not Decay 35 But someone will ask, "How do the dead come back to life? With what kind of body will they come back?"

36 You fool! The seed you plant doesn't come to life unless it dies first. 37 What you plant, whether it's wheat or something else, is only a seed. It doesn't have the form that the plant will have. 38 God gives the plant the form he wants it to have. Each kind of seed grows into its own form. 39 Not all flesh is the same. Humans have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds have another, and fish have still another. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. Heavenly bodies don't all have the same splendor, neither do earthly bodies. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon has another kind of splendor, and the stars have still another kind of splendor. Even one star differs in splendor from another star.

42 That is how it will be when the dead come back to life. When the body is planted, it decays. When it comes back to life, it cannot decay. 43 When the body is planted, it doesn't have any splendor and is weak. When it comes back to life, it has splendor and is strong. 44 It is planted as a physical body. It comes back to life as a spiritual body. As there is a physical body, so there is also a spiritual body.

45 This is what Scripture says: "The first man, Adam, became a living being." The last Adam became a lifegiving spirit. 46 The spiritual does not come first, but the physical and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was made from the dust of the earth. He came from the earth. The second man came from heaven. 48 The people on earth are like the man who was made from the dust of the earth. The people in heaven are like the man who came from heaven. 49 As we have worn the likeness of the man who was made from the dust of the earth, we will also wear the likeness of the man who came from heaven. 50 Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. What decays cannot inherit what doesn't decay.

51 I'm telling you a mystery. Not all of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52 It will happen in an instant, in a split second at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will come back to life. They will be changed so that they can live forever. 53 This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever. 54 When this body that decays is changed into a body that cannot decay, and this mortal body is changed into a body that will live forever, then the teaching of Scripture will come true: "Death is turned into victory!

55 Death, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting?"

56 Sin gives death its sting, and God's standards give sin its power. 57 Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua Christ.

58 So, then, brothers and sisters, don't let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.

The Collection for the People in Jerusalem 16 1 Now, concerning the money to be collected for God's people in Jerusalem: I want you to do as I directed the churches in Galatia. 2 Every Sunday each of you should set aside some of your money and save it. Then money won't have to be collected when I come. 3 When I come, I will give letters of introduction to the people whom you choose. You can send your gift to Jerusalem with them. 4 If I think it's worthwhile for me to go, they can go with me.

Paul's Plans 5 After I go through the province of Macedonia, I'll visit you. (I will be going through Macedonia.) 6 I'll probably stay with you. I might even spend the winter. Then you can give me your support as I travel, wherever I decide to go. 7 Right now all I could do is visit you briefly, but if the Lord lets me, I hope to spend some time with you. 8 I will be staying here in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me.

News about Timothy, Apollos, and Others 10 If Timothy comes, make sure that he doesn't have anything to be afraid of while he is with you. He's doing the Lord's work as I am, 11 so no one should treat him with contempt. Without quarreling, give him your support for his trip so that he may come to me. I'm expecting him to arrive with the other Christians.

12 Concerning Apollos, our brother in the Christian faith: I tried hard to get him to visit you with the other Christians. He didn't want to at this time. However, he will visit you when he has an opportunity.

13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong. 14 Do everything with love.

15 You know that the family of Stephanas was the first family to be won for Christ in Greece. This family has devoted itself to serving God's people. So I encourage you, brothers and sisters, 16 to follow the example of people like these and anyone else who shares their labor and hard work. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here. They have made up for your absence. 18 They have comforted me, and they have comforted you. Therefore, show people like these your appreciation.

Greetings 19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca and the church that meets in their house send their warmest Christian greetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters here greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.

22 If anyone doesn't love the Lord, let him be cursed! Our Lord, come!

23 May the good willa of the Lord Yeshua be with you. 24 Through Christ Yeshua my love is with all of you.

a 1:3 Or "Grace."

b 1:12 Cephas is the Aramaic name for the Apostle Peter.

c 1:14 A few of the older manuscripts read "I am thankful that."

a 2:1 Some manuscripts and translations read "testimony."

b 2:13 Or "We explain spiritual things in spiritual words."

a 3:10 Or "grace."

a 7:39 Or "only as the Lord guides her."

a 9:5 Cephas is the Aramaic name for the Apostle Peter.

b 9:9 Threshing is the process of beating stalks to separate them from the grain.

a 10:9 Some manuscripts and translations; other manuscripts and translations "Christ."

a 11:25 Or "testament," or "covenant."

a 12:31 Or "Desire the better gifts, and I will show you the best thing to do."

b 13:3 Some manuscripts read "give up my body so that I may brag."

a 15:5 Cephas is the Aramaic name for the Apostle Peter.

b 15:10 Or "grace."

a 16:23 Or "grace."

Introduction to 2 CORINTHIANS.

Paul wrote at least four letters to the Christians in Corinth. In the first letter, which no longer exists, he ordered them to stop associating with immoral people (1 Corinthians 5:9). The Corinthians misunderstood him, and in the second letter-the one we know as 1 Corinthians-he clarified his instructions, adding advice about other topics that were troubling them. That letter upset them even more. Distressed, Paul canceled a planned trip to Corinth and wrote them a third letter. It was not preserved, but it seems to have calmed things down a bit.

By about AD 57, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians a fourth time, he was back on reasonably friendly terms with them. He was sorry a previous letter had made them uncomfortable but happy that they had changed their ways and were now eager to see him (2 Corinthians 7:8-16).

We know this fourth letter as 2 Corinthians. It may be a single letter, or it may include portions of several letters written around the same time. In it Paul jumps rapidly from topic to topic, and he frequently pours out his feelings. Clearly he cares deeply for the Corinthians, even though many of them have distrusted him. He passionately defends his ministry, hoping the Corinthians will understand why he is willing to suffer for Christ and for them.

The Good News, Paul writes, is about restored relationships. Christ died for all people so that everyone can stop living selfishly and start living for Christ. As Christ's representative, Paul begs the Corinthians "on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God" (5:20). Don't let God's kindness go to waste, he pleads. "We have a place for you in our hearts. . . Make a place for us in your hearts too" (6:11-13).

About to visit the Corinthians for the third time, Paul is a bit nervous: "I'm afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be" (12:20). That's why he's writing: he hopes they will make any necessary reforms before he arrives so he won't have to deal with them harshly yet again.

Most likely the Corinthians finally paid attention. Someone in Corinth valued Paul's letters enough to circulate them to other churches. And Paul must have been satisfied with the church's response: he apparently did not feel the need to write a fifth letter.

Key Names of God in 2 Corinthians Spirit Son of God Father Christ Lord 2 CORINTHIANS.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.

11 12 13.

Greeting 1 1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Yeshua by the will of God, and from Timothy our brother.

To God's church in the city of Corinth and to all God's holy people everywhere in Greece.

2 Good willa and peace from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua Christ are yours!

God Comforts Paul and the Corinthians 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. 4 He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God. 5 Because Christ suffered so much for us, we can receive so much comfort from him. 6 Besides, if we suffer, it brings you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, we can effectively comfort you when you endure the same sufferings that we endure. 7 We have confidence in you. We know that as you share our sufferings, you also share our comfort.

God Rescued Paul When He Was Suffering 8 Brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be ignorant about the suffering we experienced in the province of Asia. It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living. 9 In fact, we still feel as if we're under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life. 10 He has rescued us from a terrible death, and he will rescue us in the future. We are confident that he will continue to rescue us, 11 since you are also joining to help us when you pray for us. Then many people will thank God for the favor he will show us because many people prayed for us.

Paul's Reason for Being Proud 12 We are proud that our conscience is clear. We are proud of the way that we have lived in this world. We have lived with a God-given holinessb and sincerity, especially toward you. It was not by human wisdom that we have lived but by God's kindness.a 13 We are only writing you what you already knew before you read this. I hope you will understand this as long as you live, 14 even though you now understand it only partially. We are your reason to be proud, as you will be our reason to be proud on the day of our Lord Yeshua .

Why Paul Changed His Plans 15 Confident of this, I had previously wanted to visit you so that you could benefit twice. 16 My plans had been to go from the city of Corinth to the province of Macedonia. Then from Macedonia I had planned to return to you again in Corinth and have you support my trip to Judea.

17 You don't think that I made these plans lightly, do you? Do you think that when I make plans, I make them in a sinful way? Why would I say that something is true when it isn't? 18 You can depend on God. Our message to you isn't false; it's true. 19 God's Son, Yeshua Christ, whom I, Silvanus, and Timothy told you about, was true not false. Because of him our message was always true. 20 Certainly, Christ made God's many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, "Amen!"

21 God establishes us, together with you, in a relationship with Christ. He has also anointed us. 22 In addition, he has put his seal of ownership on us and has given us the Spirit as his guarantee.

23 I appeal to God as a witness on my behalf, that I stayed away from Corinth because I wanted to spare you. 24 It isn't that we want to have control over your Christian faith. Rather, we want to work with you so that you will be happy. Certainly, you are firmly established in the Christian faith.

2 1 I decided not to visit you again while I was distressed. 2 After all, if I had made you uncomfortable, how could you have cheered me up when you were uncomfortable?

3 This is the very reason I wrote to you. I didn't want to visit you and be distressed by those who should make me happy. I'm confident about all of you that whatever makes me happy also makes you happy.

4 I was deeply troubled and anguished. In fact, I had tears in my eyes when I wrote to you. I didn't write to make you uncomfortable but to let you know how much I love you.

Forgive the Person Who Sinned 5 If someone caused distress, I'm not the one really affected. To some extent-although I don't want to emphasize this too much-it has affected all of you. 6 The majority of you have imposed a severe enough punishment on that person. 7 So now forgive and comfort him. Such distress could overwhelm someone like that if he's not forgiven and comforted. 8 That is why I urge you to assure him that you love him. 9 I had also written to you to test you. I wanted to see if you would be obedient in every way.

10 If you forgive someone, so do I. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did in the presence of Christ for your benefit. 11 I don't want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan's scheming.

Paul's Mission as Christ's Spokesman 12 When I went to the city of Troas, the Lord gave me an opportunity to spread the Good News about Christ. 13 But I didn't have any peace of mind, because I couldn't find Titus, our brother, there. So I said goodbye to the people in Troas and went to the province of Macedonia.

14 But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air. 15 To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying. 16 To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a lifegiving fragrance.

Who is qualified to tell about Christ? 17 At least we don't go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ's spokesmen and in God's presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.

The Ministry That Comes from Christ Is Greater Than Moses' Ministry 3 1 Do we have to show you our qualifications again? Do we, like some people, need letters that recommend us to you or letters from you that recommend us to others? 2 You're our letter of recommendation written in our hearts that everyone knows and reads. 3 It's clear that you are Christ's letter, written as a result of our ministry. You are a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, a letter written not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Christ gives us confidence about you in God's presence. 5 By ourselves we are not qualified in any way to claim that we can do anything. Rather, God makes us qualified. 6 He has also qualified us to be ministers of a new promise,a a spiritual promise, not a written one. Clearly, what was written brings death, but the Spirit brings life.

7 The ministry that brought death was inscribed on stone. Yet, it came with such glory that the people of Israel couldn't look at Moses' face. His face was shining with glory, even though that glory was fading. 8 Won't the ministry that brings the Spirit have even more glory? 9 If the ministry that brings punishment has glory, then the ministry that brings God's approval has an overwhelming glory. 10 In fact, the ministry that brings punishment lost its glory because of the superior glory of the other ministry. 11 If that former ministry faded away despite its glory, how much more does that ministry which remains continue to be glorious?

12 Since we have confidence in the new promise, we speak very boldly. 13 We are not like Moses. He kept covering his face with a veil. He didn't want the people of Israel to see the glory fading away. 14 However, their minds became closed. In fact, to this day the same veil is still there when they read the Old Testament. It isn't removed, because only Christ can remove it. 15 Yet, even today, when they read the books of Moses, a veil covers their minds. 16 But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

17 This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom. 18 As all of us reflect the Lord's glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Paul Is Never Discouraged 4 1 We don't become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. 2 Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don't use tricks, and we don't distort God's word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our letter of recommendation.

3 So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. 4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. It is Christ who is God's image.

5 Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Yeshua Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. 6 We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God's glory which shines from Christ's face.

7 Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn't come from us. 8 In every way we're troubled, but we aren't crushed by our troubles. We're frustrated, but we don't give up. 9 We're persecuted, but we're not abandoned. We're captured, but we're not killed. 10 We always carry around the death of Yeshua in our bodies so that the life of Yeshua is also shown in our bodies. 11 While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Yeshua's sake so that the life of Yeshua is also shown in our mortal nature. 12 Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.