1 Corinthians 14
1 You must want to love others more [than you want anything else]. But you should [also] eagerly desire the abilities that [God’s] Spirit [gives to believers]. And you should desire most of all to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God [MTY].
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
2 [I say that] because those who speak messages that come directly from God [are speaking in languages that they and the other believers in the congregation know, and so] they are able to strengthen them [spiritually] and to encourage and comfort them. But those who speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned] are not speaking to people. Instead, they are [only] speaking to God. No one understands them. By [the power/guidance of God’s] Spirit (OR, From within [their own] spirit) they speak things that others do not know.
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 Those who speak in languages [that they have not learned] are receiving a blessing for themselves, but those who speak messages that come directly from God are giving a blessing to [all the believers in] the congregation [because they are speaking in a language that the congregation knows].
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like you all to have the ability to speak in languages [MTY] [you have not learned]. But I would like even more for you to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God. People can speak messages in a language that they have not learned, but if there is no one there who can explain the meaning, that situation is not as helpful to the congregation as speaking messages that come directly from God [in the language that the congregation knows].
I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 My fellow believers, suppose I came and spoke to you in a language that none of you knows [and I did not explain the meaning of what I told you]. Even if I told you something that God had revealed to me, or told you some message that had come directly from him, or taught you something that you needed to know, (that certainly would not help you!/how would that help you?) [RHQ]
Now, brothers, if I come to 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?
7 [It is like] lifeless [musical instruments], like flutes and harps for example. When they are played, if the notes are not played {if [those playing those instruments] do not play the notes} clearly, no one will know what tune is being played {what tune they are playing}. [RHQ]
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?
8 If someone playing the trumpet [wants to signal that the soldiers should prepare to fight a battle], [the soldiers] certainly will not get ready if [the call to battle] is not played {he does not play [the call to battle]} clearly. [RHQ]
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 It is the same with you! If you do not speak words that other people can understand, (no one will know what you are saying./how will anyone know what you are saying?) [RHQ] [It will be as though] you are just speaking to the air!
So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air.
10 There are many different languages in the world, and all of them convey meaning [LIT] [to the people who know those languages].
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 But if we do not understand the language that others are speaking, [it will be as though] they are foreigners to us, and we will be foreigners to them.
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me.
12 So [I say this to] you: Because you are eager to have the abilities that God’s Spirit gives, earnestly desire those abilities that will do the most to help [all the believers in] the congregation.
Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 So, those who have the ability to speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned] should pray that [God will give them the ability to] explain the meaning of what they say.
Why let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 If they pray in a language [MTY] [that they have not learned], their spirits are praying, but they are not using their minds.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 So I will tell you [RHQ] what we should do. [At times] we may pray, [using] only our spirits, [in languages we have not learned. And at other times] we should pray using our minds, [thinking about the words that we are praying. Similarly], at times we may sing using only our spirits, using languages that we have not learned, and at other times we should sing using our minds, [thinking about the words that we are singing].
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 Suppose that any one of you praises God (OR, thanks God for what he has done), using only your [(sg)] spirit [and not using your mind]. Maybe some people [will be present who] do not know about [the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers]. Because they do not know what you are saying, after you thank God, they will not [RHQ] know when to say “Amen!/I agree!”
Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?
17 You may be thanking God very well, but you are not helping them.
For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in languages [MTY] [that I have not learned] more than any of you do.
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19 But during a worship service, [in order that others will understand what I am saying], I would prefer to speak five words using my mind, in order that I may teach others, rather than to speak 10,000 words in a language [MTY] [that is not understood by the congregation].
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.
20 My fellow believers, stop being like little children in the way that you think [about these abilities that God’s Spirit gives]. Instead, think about them in a mature way. If you really want to be like little children, do as few wicked things as babies do!
Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.
21 [When the Jews long ago refused to obey God, he warned them about what would happen when he allowed their enemies to punish them]. In the Scriptures it is written {[the prophet Isaiah] wrote} what the Lord [God] said [about that], [They didn’t listen to prophets speaking their own language, so I will send] people from foreign [lands to attack] my people. Those foreigners will speak languages that my people do not know [DOU]. [In that way], I will warn my people, but they will still not pay attention to what I say.
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, says the LORD.
22 If we speak in languages [MTY] [that we have not learned], unbelievers [who are there will realize that the Spirit of God is truly among us]. That will warn them [that they need to fear God]. But believers do not [need such a warning].
Why tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 Suppose during the worship service everyone started to speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned]. If unbelievers or people who do not know [about the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers] come in [and hear that], they will surely think that you are crazy. [RHQ]
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 you are mad?
24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not know [about those abilities] comes in while all of you believers are [one by one] speaking messages that come directly from God, everything that you [say] will show that person that he is a sinner and that [God] will punish him [if he does not turn from his sinful behavior].
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 He will realize that [God knows the evil things that he has done that], things that other people do not know. Then he will kneel down and worship God and say, “God is truly among you!”
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.
26 So, my fellow believers, I will tell you [RHQ] what I think that you should be doing. When you come together [to worship God], some of you may have a hymn to sing. Others may have something to teach [the congregation]. Others may have [something to say that God has] revealed to them. Others may give messages in languages [that they have not learned]. Others will explain the meaning of those messages. Make sure that all of these things that you do will make the congregation become more mature spiritually.
How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying.
27 [It is all right] if two people, or at the most three people, speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned]. But they must speak one at a time, and someone must explain the meaning of what the others have said.
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.
28 If [those who want to speak in a language that they have not learned realize that] there is no one [there] who will be able to explain the meaning [of what they will say], they should not speak in that language during the meeting. Instead, they should speak to God by themselves, [somewhere else].
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 [During a meeting], two or three people should speak messages that come directly from God, and others who are there should think carefully about what those people have said.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If someone receives a new message directly from God while someone else is speaking, the one who is speaking should stop speaking [and let the other person tell what God has revealed to him].
If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.
31 You can all, one by one, speak messages that have come directly from God, in order that you can teach others and all be encouraged {encourage everyone}.
For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 Those who speak messages that come directly from God are in control of their own spirits, [so they can wait for their turn to speak].
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 Remember that God does not desire that things be done in a disorderly way [during your worship services]. Instead, he desires that everything be done in an orderly way. Just like it happens in all the other congregations of believers,
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 the women should not be permitted {do not permit the women} [to interrupt the meeting by] asking [questions]. They must keep quiet. They must be subject [to their husbands]. What Moses wrote [PRS] [about how God created the first two people] suggests [that the women should do that].
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also says the law.
35 If they want to know [more] about something [that a speaker said], they should ask their husbands when they get home, for it is disgraceful for women to [interrupt a service by] asking [such questions].
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.
36 [If you do not agree with these things that I have been telling you], remember that [RHQ] the message from God did not first come from you [people in Corinth]. Also, you are not [RHQ] the only ones who have heard it! [Many others have heard it and accepted it, so you should not act as though you are the only believers who have heard the message from God].
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only?
37 Those of you who think that you have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God, or think that you have some other ability [that God’s] Spirit gives, should realize that the things that I have written about in this letter are things that the Lord has commanded.
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if they are not willing to accept [my authority], [God] will not accept them (OR, they will not be accepted [by the congregation]).
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 So, my fellow believers, be eager to speak messages that come directly from God, and do not prevent anyone from speaking in a language [that he has not learned].
Why, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 But make sure [that] everything that you do [during the worship services] is done in a proper and orderly way.
Let all things be done decently and in order.
