The Lord’s Supper

17In the following matters, I don’t praise you. Your meetings do more harm than good.

18First, here is what people are telling me. When you come together as a church, you take sides. And in some ways I believe it. 19No doubt you need to take sides in order to show which of you God agrees with!

20When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat. 21As you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anyone else. One remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you think so little of God’s church that you shame those in it who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you for that? Certainly not!

23I passed on to you what I received from the Lord. On the night the Lord Jesus was handed over to his enemies, he took bread. 24When he had given thanks, he broke it. He said, “This is my body. It is given for you. Every time you eat it, do it in memory of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup. He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do it in memory of me.”

26When you eat the bread and drink the cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

27So do not eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a way that isn’t worthy of him. If you do, you will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

28A person should take a careful look at himself before he eats the bread and drinks from the cup. 29Anyone who eats and drinks must recognize the body of the Lord. If he doesn’t, God will judge him for it. 30That is why many of you are weak and sick. That is why a number of you have died.

31We should judge ourselves. Then we would not be found guilty. 32When the Lord judges us, he corrects us. Then we will not be judged along with the rest of the world.

33My brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34Those who are hungry should eat at home. Then when you come together, you will not be judged.

When I come, I will give you more directions.