1 Corinthians 14

1 Pursue love, and desire the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual things, and especially that you may prophesy.

2 Because he who speaks in a ‘language’ is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands; in spirit he speaks mysteries.

For the one who speaks in another language speaks not to people, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to people.

But he who prophesies speaks to people for their encouragement, strengthening, and comfort.

4 The one speaking in a ‘language’ edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the congregation.

He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5 I could wish that you all spoke in ‘languages’, but even more that you might prophesy; because the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in ‘languages’ (unless he interprets), so that the congregation may receive edification.

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy, and he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the church may be built up.

6 Now then, brothers, what good will I do you if I come to you speaking in ‘languages’ instead of addressing you with revelation, or with knowledge, or with prophecy, or with teaching?

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

7 Take lifeless things like a flute or a harp; if they make no distinction in the notes when they produce sound, how will it be known what is being piped or harped?

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they did not give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

8 Also a trumpet; if it gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle?

For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9 So it is with you: if you do not deliver an intelligible message with the ‘language’, how will it be known what is being said? You will just be speaking into the air.

So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

10 There are probably a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without significance.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none is without meaning.

11 But if I do not know the force of the sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and he will be a foreigner to me.

If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

12 And you too: since you are zealous for spiritual things, aim at the edification of the congregation, that you may all grow.

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual things, seek that you may abound to the building up of the church.

13 Therefore the one speaking in a ‘language’ should pray that he may interpret.

Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in a ‘language’, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 So what then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.

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.

16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the outsider say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not know what you say?

17 You, of course, give thanks quite well, but the other is not edified.

For you truly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

18 I thank my God speaking in ‘languages’ more than you all,

I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all.

19 but in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my understanding, precisely so as to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a ‘language’.

However in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

20 Brothers, stop thinking like children—well, in malice be ‘infants’, but in thinking be adults.

Brothers, do not be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

21 In the law it stands written: “I will speak to this people in foreign languages and with different ‘lips’, but not even then will they listen to me,” says the Lord.

In the law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people; but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.

22 Therefore the ‘languages’ are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; while prophesying is not for unbelievers but for believers.

Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.

23 So if the whole congregation comes together and all are speaking in ‘languages’, but outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are raving?

If therefore the whole church is assembled together and all speak in tongues, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy?

24 But if everyone is prophesying, and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is reproved by all, he is examined by all.

But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

25 And thus the secrets of his heart are exposed, and so, falling on his face he will worship God, affirming, “Truly God is among you!”

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

26 So what goes on, brothers? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a ‘language’, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

27 If anyone speaks in a ‘language’, let it be two—at the most three—and in turn, and let one interpret.

If anyone speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.

Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.

30 But if another who is sitting by receives a revelation, the first should stop speaking.

But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

32 Yes, spirits of prophets are subordinate to prophets.

The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33 Further, God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

34 your wives should keep silent in the assemblies, for they are not permitted to speak, but to be in subordination, as the law also says.

let the women keep silent in the churches, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Law also says.

35 If they want to learn about something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the church.

36 Or was it from you that the Word of God went forth? Or was it only to you that it came?

What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the Lord's commands.

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him remain so.

But if someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39 So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in ‘languages’.

Therefore, my brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40 Let all things be done properly and in order.

Let all things be done decently and in order.