1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

Hotly pursue this love, yet seek earnestly spiritual gifts, and chiefly that you may prophesy.

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.

For he who speaks in a "tongue" speaks not to man but to God, for no one understands him, but in the Spirit he utters secret truths.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

But he who prophesies addresses words to men that build up, encourage, and console.

4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

He who speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself; but he who prophesies upbuilds 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 should like you all to speak with "tongues"; but I should rather that you prophesied, For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that 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?

Now brothers, if I should come to you speaking with tongues, what should I benefit you, unless I speak to you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, 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?

For if lifeless instruments such as the flute or the harp give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is fluted or harped?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

Or, for example, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, what soldier will be prepared 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.

In the same way with you, if you utter unintelligible words with your tongue, 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 are, let us say, so many languages in the world, and none without its 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 then I do not know the force of expression, I shall seem a barbarian to the one who uses it, and he will seem a barbarian 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.

So also in your case, since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them for the upbuilding of the church.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.

So let him who speaks with tongues pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is barren.

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? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray also with my mind. I will praise God with my spirit, but I will praise him with my mind, also.

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 in your spirit bless God, how shall he who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen to your thanksgiving, when he does not know what you are talking about?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

You on the one hand offer a good thanksgiving, but the other is not built up.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all,

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 the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so as to instruct others, than ten thousand in an unknown tongue.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Brothers, do not become children in understanding; be babes in malice, but in understanding become mature 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.

In the Law it is written. With men of other tongues, and by the lips of strangers, will I speak to this people, and 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.

So then the gift of tongues is for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.

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?

Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not 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:

But if all are prophesying when an unlearned or unbelieving man enters, he is convicted in conscience by your speaker, he feels himself judged by 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.

and the secret depths of his heart are laid open. So he will fall upon his face and worship God, saying, "Of a truth, God is with 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 follows, then, brothers? Whenever you meet together, each contributes something; a psalm, a sermon, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation. Let all be done for edification.

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 one speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn, and let some one interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

But if there is no one to interpret, let them keep silence in the church, and speak to themselves and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others exercise their judgment.

30 If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

But if to one as he sits there some revelation is made, let the first be silent.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

For you can all prophesy one by one; so that all may be learning, and all may be encouraged.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,

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 confusion, but of peace. This custom prevails in all the churches of the saints.

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.

"In your congregation" you write, "as in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. On the contrary let them be subordinate, as also says the law.

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.

And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a women to speak in church."

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

What, was it from you that the word of God went forth, or to you only did it come?

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 himself a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am now writing you is a command of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

But if any one disregard it he will be disregarded.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

So, my brothers, be ambitious for the gift of prophecy, and speak not against the gifts of tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Let everything be done decently and in order.