There are diversities of gifts verily, yet but one spirit. And there are differences of administrations, and yet but one lord. And there are divers manners of operations, and yet but one God, which worketh all things that are wrought in all creatures. The gifts of the spirit are given to every man to profit the congregation. To one is given the utterance of wisdom: to another is given the utterance of knowledge by the same spirit: to another is given faith, by the same spirit. To another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit. To another power to do miracles: To another prophecy, To another judgement of spirits, To another diverse tongues: To another the interpretation of tongues: and these all worketh even the self same spirit, dividing to every man several gifts even as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of one body though they be many, yet are but one body: even so is Christ. For in one spirit are we all baptised to make one body, whether we be jewes or gentiles: whether we be bond or free, and have all drunk of one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot say: I am not the hand, therefore I am not of the body: is he therefore not of the body? and if the ear say I am not the eye: therefore I am not of the body: is he therefore not of the body? if all the body were an eye: where were then the ear? if all were hearing: where were the smelling?
But now hath God disposed the members, every one of them in the body, at his own pleasure. If they were all one member: where were the body? Now are there many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand: I have no need of thee: nor the head also to the feet: I have no need of you. Yea rather a great deal those members of the body which seem to be most feeble, are most necessary. And upon those members of that body which we think least honest, put we most honesty on. And our ungodly parts have most beauty on. For our honest members need it not: but God hath so disposed the body, and hath given most honour to that part which lacked, lest there should be any strife in the body: but that the members should indifferently care for one another. And if one member suffer all suffer with him: if one member be had in honour, all members be glad also.
Ye are the body of Christ, and members one of another. And God hath also ordained in the congregation, first the Apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles, after that, the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues.
Are all Apostles? are all prophets? Are all teachers? are all doers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? Covet after the best gifts. And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
The .xiij. Chapter.
Though I spake with the tongues of men and angels, and yet had no love, I were even as sounding brass: and as a tinkling cymbal. And though I could prophesy, and understood all secrets, and all knowledge: yee, if I had all faith so that I could move mountains out of their places, and yet had no love, I were nothing. And though I bestowed all my goods to feed the poor, and though I gave my body even that I burned, and yet had no love, it profiteth me nothing.
Love suffereth long, and is courteous. Love envieth not. Love doth not frowardly, swelleth not, dealeth not dishonestly, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh not evil rejoiceth not in iniquity: but rejoiceth in the truth, suffereth all things, believeth all things hopeth all things, endureth in all things. Though that prophesying fail, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge vanish away: yet love falleth never away.
For our knowledge is unperfect, and our prophesying is unperfect: but when that which is perfect is come: then that which is unperfect shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I imagined as a child: but as soon as I was a man I put away childishness. Now we see in a glass even in a dark speaking: but then shall we see face to face. Now I know unperfectly: but then shall I know even as I am known. Now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the chief of these is love.
The .xiiij. Chapter.