1 Corinthians 12:21

19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?

20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

23 and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty,

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
KJV
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
WEB
The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
ASV
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
DARBY
The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you.
BLB
Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you⁺.”
ÅB
øyet kan ikke si til hånden: Jeg trenger ikke til deg, eller hodet til føttene: Jeg trenger ikke til dere;
OTB
Og øyet kan ikke si til hånden: "Jeg trenger deg ikke"; heller ikke kan hodet si til føttene: "Jeg trenger dere ikke."
B1930
Øiet kan ikke si til hånden: Jeg trenger ikke til dig, eller hodet til føttene: Jeg trenger ikke til eder;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Nehemiah 4:16–21

    And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah

    Read in context
  • Ezra 10:1–5

    While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.

    Read in context
  • Job 29:11

    For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,

    Read in context