1 Corinthians 14

1 Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy.

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

2 For whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God. For no one understands. Yet by the Spirit, he speaks 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 whoever prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

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

4 Whoever speaks in tongues edifies himself. But whoever prophesies edifies the Church.

He who speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself; but he who prophesies upbuilds the church.

5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more so to prophesy. For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless perhaps he interprets, so that the Church may receive edification.

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 But now, brothers, if I were to come to you speaking in tongues, how would it benefit you, unless instead I speak to you in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in 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 Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string?

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 example, if the trumpet made an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for battle?

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

9 So it is with you also, for unless you utter with the tongue in plain speech, how will it be known what is said? For then you would be speaking 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 Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice.

There are, let us say, so many languages in the world, and none without its meaning.

11 Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner to 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 So it is with you also. And since you are zealous for what is spiritual, seek the edification of the Church, so that you may abound.

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

13 For this reason, too, whoever speaks in tongues, let him pray for the interpretation.

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

14 So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit.

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

15 What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind.

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 Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an “Amen” to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying.

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 In this case, certainly, you give thanks well, but the other person is not edified.

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

18 I thank my God that I speak in tongues for all of you.

Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all,

19 But in the Church, I prefer to speak five words from my mind, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues.

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 Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds.

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

21 It is written in the law: “I will speak to this people with other tongues and other lips, and even so, they will not heed me, says 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 And so, tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; and prophecies are not for unbelievers, but for believers.

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 then, the entire Church were to gather together as one, and if all were to speak in tongues, and then ignorant or unbelieving persons were to enter, would they not say that you were insane?

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 everyone prophesies, and one who is ignorant or unbelieving enters, he may be convinced by it all, because he understands it 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 The secrets of his heart are then made manifest. And so, falling to his face, he would adore God, proclaiming that God is truly among you.

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 What is next, brothers? When you gather together, each one of you may have a psalm, or a doctrine, or a revelation, or a language, or an interpretation, but let everything be done for edification.

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 anyone is speaking in tongues, let there be only two, or at most three, and then in turn, and let someone 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 is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God.

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

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

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

30 But then, if something is revealed to another who is sitting, let the first one become silent.

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

31 For you are all able to prophesy one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

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

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

The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,

33 And God is not of dissension, but of peace, just as I also teach in all the 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 Women should be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak; but instead, they should be subordinate, as the law also says.

"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 want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in 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 So now, did the Word of God proceed from you? Or was it sent to you alone?

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

37 If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things 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 If anyone does not recognize these things, he should not be recognized.

But if any one disregard it he will be disregarded.

39 And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues.

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

40 But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper order.

Let everything be done decently and in order.