When I came ¹  to you, brothers and sisters, ²  I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony ³  of God.

Guard against self-deception, each of you. ¹  If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.

Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you!

It is actually reported that sexual immorality exists among you, the kind of immorality that is not permitted even among the Gentiles, so that someone is cohabiting with ¹  his father’s wife.

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits?

The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, ¹  whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.

If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign ¹  of my apostleship in the Lord.

If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.

But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience ¹  –

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread,

For I passed on to you as of first importance ¹  what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,

Now if Christ is being preached as raised from the dead, ¹  how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

For we do not write you anything other than what ¹  you can read and also understand. But I hope that you will understand completely ² 

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you ¹  made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

Have you been thinking all this time ¹  that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up. ² 

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He ¹  is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.

Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test! ¹