1 Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.
Make love your most important objective! But also do your best to gain spiritual gifts, especially the ability to speak God's message.
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.
Those who speak in a tongue are not talking to people, but to God, because nobody can understand them as they speak mysteries in the Spirit.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
However, the words of those who speak for God build people up—they provide encouragement and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Those that speak in a tongue only build themselves up, but those who speak God's message build up the church. I would like it if you all spoke in tongues, but I'd prefer if you could speak God's message.
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.
Those who speak for God are more important than those who speak in tongues, unless they interpret what's been said, so that the church can 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?
Brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what benefit would I be to you unless I bring you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophetic message, 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 when it comes to something non-living such as musical instruments like a flute or a harp: if they don't produce clear notes, how will you know what tune is being played?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Similarly, if the trumpet doesn't give a clear sound, who will get ready 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.
It's the same situation for you—unless you speak using words that are easy to understand, who will know what you're saying? What you say will be lost on the wind.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.
There are surely many languages in this world, and there is meaning in every one of them.
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 I don't understand the language, those who speak make no sense to me, and I make no sense to them.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
It's the same for you—if you are keen to have spiritual gifts, try to have many of those that will build up the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.
Anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that they're able to translate what they say.
14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
For if I pray out loud in a tongue, my spirit is praying, but it does nothing for my understanding!
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.
So then, what should I do? I will pray “in the Spirit,” but I will pray with my mind too. I will sing “in the Spirit,” but I will sing with my mind too.
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?
For if you only pray “in the Spirit,” how can ordinary people that don't have understanding say “Amen” after your prayer of thanks, since they haven't a clue what you said?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
You might have said a great prayer of thanks, but the other hasn't been helped!
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
I thank God that I can speak in tongues more than all 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 in church I would rather speak five understandable words to teach others than ten thousand words in a tongue nobody understands.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. Be as innocent as babies in regard to evil, but be grown up in your understanding.
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.
As Scripture records, “‘I will speak to my people through other languages and the lips of foreigners, but even then they won't 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.
Speaking in tongues is a sign, not to believers, but those who don't believe. Speaking God's prophetic message is the opposite: it is not for those who don't believe, but for believers.
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?
If the whole church is meeting together and you are all speaking in tongues, and some people come in who don't understand, or people who don't believe, won't they say that you are insane?
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:
But if everyone is speaking God's message, and someone comes in who isn't a believer, or someone who doesn't understand, they will be convinced and called to account by everyone's words.
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.
Their secrets throughts will be revealed, so they will fall to their knees and worship God, affirming that God is truly 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.
So then, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, different people will sing, or teach, or share a special message, or speak in a tongue, or give an interpretation. But everything should be done to build up and encourage the church.
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 anyone wants to speak in a tongue, make it just two, or three at the most, taking turns, and someone should interpret what is said.
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's no one there to interpret, those who speak in tongues should keep quiet in church and only speak to themselves, and God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Similarly, have two or three of those who give God's prophetic message speak, and let everyone else think about what was said.
30 If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
However, if a special revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, then the first speaker should give way to them.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
You can all speak for God, one at a time, so that everyone can learn and be encouraged.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
It is for those who speak for God to control their prophetic inspiration,
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 and quiet. This is the way it should be in all the churches of God'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.
“Women should stay quiet in the churches—they shouldn't speak. They should respect their situation, as the laws states.
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 to learn they can do so at home, asking their husbands. It is not proper for women to speak in church.”
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
What? Did the word of God begin with you? Are you the only ones it came to?
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.
Anyone who thinks they are a prophet, or that they have some spiritual gift, should be aware that what I'm writing to you is a command of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Those who ignore this will themselves be ignored.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
So my brothers and sisters, make it your aim to speak for God. Don't prohibit speaking in tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Just make sure everything done is done properly and in an orderly manner.
