¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(A) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,^(B) so it is with Christ.^{(C) 13} For we were all baptized^(D) by^[a] one Spirit^(E) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free^(F)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.^{(G) 14} Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.^(H)

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed^(I) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(J) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(K)

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(L) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(M) 28} And God has placed in the church^(N) first of all apostles,^(O) second prophets,^(P) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(Q) of helping, of guidance,^(R) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(S) 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[b]?^(T) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(U) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(A) 19} But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(B) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(C) about what we have seen and heard.”^(D)

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(E) were praising God^(F) for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.^(G) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^{(H) 25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(I)

²⁷ Indeed Herod^(K) and Pontius Pilate^(L) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(M) whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^{(N) 29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(O) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(P) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(Q)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(R) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(S) and spoke the word of God^(T) boldly.^(U)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(V) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(W) to the resurrection^(X) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(Y) was so powerfully at work in them all

¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(A) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(B) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(C) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(D) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(E) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(F)

²¹ Submit to one another^(G) out of reverence for Christ.