1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Seek this love earnestly, and strive for spiritual gifts, above all for the gift of preaching.

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

The person who, when speaking, uses the gift of “tongues” is speaking, not to people, but to God, for no one understands them; yet in spirit they are speaking of hidden truths.

3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

But those who preach are speaking to their fellow men and women words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement.

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

Those who, when speaking, use the gift of “tongues” builds up their own faith, while those who preach build up the faith of the church.

5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

Now I want you all to speak in “tongues,” but much more I wish that you should preach. A preacher is worth more than one who speaks in “tongues,” unless they interprets their words, so that the faith of the church may be built up.

6 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?

This being so, friends, what good will I do you, if I come to you and speak in “tongues,” unless my words convey some revelation, or knowledge, or take the form of preaching or teaching?

7 Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they did not give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

Even with inanimate things, such as a flute or a harp, though they produce sounds, yet unless the notes are quite distinct, how can the tune played on the flute or the harp be recognised?

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

If the bugle sounds a doubtful call, who will prepare for battle?

9 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.

And so with you; unless, in using the gift of “tongues,” you utter intelligible words, how can what you say be understood? You will be speaking to the winds!

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

There are, for instance, a certain number of different languages in the world, and not one of them fails to convey meaning.

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

If, however, I do not happen to know the language, I will be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me.

12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

And so with you; since you are striving for spiritual gifts, be eager to excel in such as will build up the faith of the church.

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

Therefore anyone who, when speaking, uses the gift of “tongues” should pray for ability to interpret them.

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

If, when praying, I use the gift of “tongues,” my spirit indeed prays, but my mind is a blank.

15 What should I do? 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, is my conclusion? Simply this – I will pray with my spirit, but with my mind as well; I will sing with my spirit, but with my mind as well.

16 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?

If you bless God with your spirit only, how can people in the congregation who are without your gift say “Amen” to your thanksgiving? They do not know what you are saying!

17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

Your thanksgiving may be excellent, but the other is not helped by it.

18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

Thank God, I use the gift of “tongues” more than any of you.

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

But at a meeting of the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, and so teach others, than ten thousand words when using the gift of “tongues.”

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

My friends, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves adults.

21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They will not even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”

It is said in the Law – “In strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

22 Therefore other languages 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.

Therefore the gift of the “tongues” is intended as a sign, not for those who believe in Christ, but for those who do not, while the gift of preaching is intended as a sign, not for those who do not believe in Christ, but for those who do.

23 If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, will not they say that you are crazy?

So, when the whole church meets, if all present use the gift of “tongues,” and some people who are without the gift, or who are unbelievers, come in, will not they say that you are mad?

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

While, if all those present use the gift of preaching, and an unbeliever, or someone without the gift, comes in, they are convinced of their sinfulness by them all, they are called to account by them all;

25 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.

the secrets of their heart are revealed, and then, throwing themselves on their face, they will worship God, and declare “God is indeed among you!”

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

What do I suggest, then, friends? Whenever you meet for worship, each of you comes, either with a hymn, or a lesson, or a revelation, or the gift of “tongues,” or the interpretation of them; let everything be directed to the building up of faith.

27 If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

If any of you use the gift of “tongues,” not more than two, or at the most three, should do so – each speaking in his turn – and someone should interpret them.

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

If there is no one able to interpret what is said, they should remain silent at the meeting of the church, and speak to themselves and to God.

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

Of preachers two or three should speak, and the rest should weigh well what is said.

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

But, if some revelation is made to another person as he sits there, the first speaker should stop.

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

For you can all preach in turn, so that all may learn some lesson and all receive encouragement.

32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

(The spirit that moves the preachers is within the preachers’ control;

33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.) This custom prevails in all the churches of Christ’s people.

34 Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,

At the meetings of the church married women should remain silent, for they are not allowed to speak in public; they should take a subordinate place, as the Law itself directs.

35 if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”

If they want information on any point, they should ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unbecoming for a married woman to speak at a meeting of the church.

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

What! Did God’s message to the world originate with you? Or did it find its way to none but you?

37 If any man 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.

If anyone thinks that he has the gift of preaching or any other spiritual gift, he should recognise that what I am now saying to you is a command from the Lord.

38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Anyone who ignores it may be ignored.

39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with other languages.

Therefore, my friends, strive for the gift of preaching, and yet do not forbid speaking in “tongues.”

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Let everything be done in a proper and orderly manner.