Dual Panel1DOES ANY of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)?
2Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge {and} govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged {and} ruled by you, are you unworthy {and} incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?
3Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels {and} pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world {and} of this life only!
4If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the church count for least {and} are without standing?
5I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise {and} competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood,
6But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]?
7Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong {and} be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?
8But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]!
9Do you not know that the unrighteous {and} the wrongdoers will not inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure {and} immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers {and} slanderers, nor extortioners {and} robbers will inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God.
11And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.
12Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything {or} be brought under its power.
13Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both {and} bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again].
14And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power.
15Do you not see {and} know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never!
16Or do you not know {and} realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh.
17But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.
18Shun immorality {and} all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
20You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God {and} bring glory to Him in your body.