17 But I’m not complimenting you all in giving the following instructions, because your gatherings have been doing more harm than good. 18 Firstly, I hear that when you gather together in the assembly, there are divisions among you all, and I partly believe it 19 because there must be differences among you to show who out of all of you are approved. 20 So then, when you gather together in one place, it’s not to celebrate by eating the master’s dinner 21 because during the meal, everyone grabs their own food without considering others. So some people remain hungry while others have too much to drink. 22 For eating and drinking, don’t you all have your own houses to do that in? Why are you showing contempt for God’s assembly and humiliating those left with nothing? What should I say about that? Should I praise you for that? No, I can’t!

23 I’ve already passed on to all of you everything that I received from the master: that on the night when he was betrayed, he took a bread roll 24 and after giving thanks, he broke off a piece and said, “This represents my body which will be broken for your sakes. Keep doing this in memory of me.” 25 Similarly, after the dinner he took the cup and said, “This cup represents the new agreement which will be sealed by my blood. As often as you all celebrate, drink it in memory of me.”[ref] 26 Because as often as you all celebrate by eating bread and drinking from the cup, you’ll continue to announce the master’s death until he returns.

27 Therefore, anyone who eats that bread or drinks from the master’s cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the master. 28 So everyone person must first examine themself as part of eating that bread and drinking from that cup, 29 because anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body,[fn] eats and drinks judgement onto themself. 30 Because of that, many among you are weak and sick, and many have passed away, 31 but if we were examining ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. 32 However, when we’re judged by the master, we’re being disciplined so that we won’t be condemned along with the unbelievers.

33 So brothers and sisters, when you come together to celebrate this, wait for each other. 34 If anyone’s hungry, they should eat at home beforehand, so that your meetings won’t lead to judgement. I’ll give instructions about other matters when I get there.