1 Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.
Seek this Love earnestly, and strive for spiritual gifts, above all for the gift of preaching.
2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ is speaking, not to men, but to God, for no one understands him; yet in spirit he is speaking of hidden truths.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
But he who preaches is speaking to his fellow men words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement.
4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ builds up his own faith, while he who preaches builds up the faith of the Church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Now I want you all to speak in ‘tongues,’ but much more I wish that you should preach. A Preacher is of more account than he who speaks in ‘tongues,’ unless he interprets his words, so that the faith of the Church may be built up.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
This being so, Brothers, what good shall I do you, if I come to you and speak in ‘tongues,’ unless my words convey some revelation, or knowledge, or take the form of preaching or teaching?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
Even with inanimate things, such as a flute or a harp, though they produce sounds, yet unless the notes are quite distinct, how can the tune played on the flute or the harp be recognised?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
If the bugle sounds a doubtful call, who will prepare for battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
And so with you; unless, in using the gift of ‘tongues,’ you utter intelligible words, how can what you say be understood? You will be speaking to the winds!
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.
There is, for instance, a certain number of different languages in the world, and not one of them fails to convey meaning.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me.
If, however, I do not happen to know the language, I shall be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
And so with you; since your are striving for spiritual gifts, be eager to excel in such as will build up the faith of the Church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.
Therefore let him who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ pray for ability to interpret them.
14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
If, when praying, I use the gift of ‘tongues,’ my spirit indeed prays, but my mind is a blank.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
What, then, is my conclusion? Simply this — I will pray with my spirit, but with my mind as well; I will sing with my spirit, but with my mind as well.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
If you bless God with your spirit only, how can the man in the congregation who is without your gift say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving? He does not know what you are saying!
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Your thanksgiving may be excellent, but the other is not helped by it.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Thank God, I use the gift of ‘tongues’ more than any of you.
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.
But at a meeting of the Church I would rather speak five words with my mind, and so teach others, than ten thousand words when using the gift of ‘tongues.’
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Brothers, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves men.
21 In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
It is said in the Law — ‘In strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Therefore the gift of the ‘tongues’ is intended as a sign, not for those who believe in Christ, but for those who do not, while the gift of preaching is intended as a sign, not for those who do not believe in Christ, but for those who do.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
So, when the whole Church meets, if all present use the gift of ‘tongues,’ and some men who are without the gift, or who are unbelievers, come in, will not they say that you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
While, if all those present use the gift of preaching, and an unbeliever, or a man without the gift, comes in, he is convinced of his sinfulness by them all, he is called to account by them all;
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
the secrets of his heart are revealed, and then, throwing himself on his face, he will worship God, and declare ‘God is indeed among you!’
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
What do I suggest, then, Brothers? Whenever you meet for worship, each of you comes, either with a hymn, or a lesson, or a revelation, or the gift of ‘tongues,’ or the interpretation of them; let everything be directed to the building up of faith.
27 If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.
If any of you use the gift of ‘tongues,’ not more than two, or at the most three, should do so — each speaking in his turn — and some one should interpret them.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
If there is no one able to interpret what is said, they should remain silent at the meeting of the Church, and speak to themselves and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Of preachers two or three should speak, and the rest should weigh well what is said.
30 If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
But, if some revelation is made to another person as he sits there, the first speaker should stop.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
For you can all preach in turn, so that all may learn some lesson and all receive encouragement.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
(The spirit that moves the preachers is within the preachers’ control;
33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.) This custom prevails in all the Churches of Christ’s People.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
At the meetings of the Church married women should remain silent, for they are not allowed to speak in public; they should take a subordinate place, as the Law itself directs.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
If they want information on any point, they should ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unbecoming for a married woman to speak at a meeting of the Church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
What! did God’s Message to the world originate with you? or did it find its way to none but you?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
If any one thinks that he has the gift of preaching or any other spiritual gift, let him recognise that what I am now saying to you is a command from the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Any one who ignores it may be ignored.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Therefore, my Brothers, strive for the gift of preaching, and yet do not forbid speaking in ‘tongues.’
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Let everything be done in a proper and orderly manner.
