1. When one of you has something against a brother in Christ, why do you go to the judges in the law courts? Those people are not right with God. So why do you let them decide who is right? You should be ashamed! Why do you not let God’s people decide who is right?
2. Surely you know that God’s people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, then surely you are able to judge small things as well.
3. You know that in the future we will judge angels. So surely we can judge things in this life.
4. So if you have disagreements that must be judged, why do you take them to those who are not part of the church? They mean nothing to the church.
5. I say this to shame you. Surely there is someone among you wise enough to judge a complaint between two brothers in Christ.
6. But now one brother goes to court against another brother. And you let men who are not believers judge their case!
7. The lawsuits that you have against each other show that you are already defeated. It would be better for you to let someone wrong you! It would be better for you to let someone cheat you!
8. But you yourselves do wrong and cheat! And you do this to your own brothers in Christ!
9-10. Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not receive God’s kingdom. Do not be fooled. These people will not receive God’s kingdom: those who are sexually immoral, or worship idols, or take part in adultery, or men who have physical relations with other men, or steal, or are selfish, or get drunk, or lie about others, or cheat.