1 Corinthians 14

1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

Pursue love, and desire the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

Because he who speaks in a ‘language’ is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands; in spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to people.

4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

The one speaking in a ‘language’ edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the congregation.

5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

I could wish that you all spoke in ‘languages’, but even more that you might prophesy; because the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in ‘languages’ (unless he interprets), so that the congregation may receive edification.

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Now then, brothers, what good will I do you if I come to you speaking in ‘languages’ instead of addressing you with revelation, or with knowledge, or with prophecy, or with teaching?

7 Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

Take lifeless things like a flute or a harp; if they make no distinction in the notes when they produce sound, how will it be known what is being piped or harped?

8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?

Also a trumpet; if it gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle?

9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

So it is with you: if you do not deliver an intelligible message with the ‘language’, how will it be known what is being said? You will just be speaking into the air.

10 Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

There are probably a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without significance.

11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

But if I do not know the force of the sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and he will be a foreigner to me.

12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

And you too: since you are zealous for spiritual things, aim at the edification of the congregation, that you may all grow.

13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

Therefore the one speaking in a ‘language’ should pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

For if I pray in a ‘language’, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15 What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

So what then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.

16 Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the outsider say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

You, of course, give thanks quite well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

I thank my God speaking in ‘languages’ more than you all,

19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

but in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my understanding, precisely so as to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a ‘language’.

20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Brothers, stop thinking like children—well, in malice be ‘infants’, but in thinking be adults.

21 It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

In the law it stands written: “I will speak to this people in foreign languages and with different ‘lips’, but not even then will they listen to me,” says the Lord.

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

Therefore the ‘languages’ are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; while prophesying is not for unbelievers but for believers.

23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

So if the whole congregation comes together and all are speaking in ‘languages’, but outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are raving?

24 But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,

But if everyone is prophesying, and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is reproved by all, he is examined by all.

25 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

And thus the secrets of his heart are exposed, and so, falling on his face he will worship God, affirming, “Truly God is among you!”

26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

So what goes on, brothers? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a ‘language’, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.

If anyone speaks in a ‘language’, let it be two—at the most three—and in turn, and let one interpret.

28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.

30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.

But if another who is sitting by receives a revelation, the first should stop speaking.

31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

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

32 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

Yes, spirits of prophets are subordinate to prophets.

33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

Further, God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

34 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

your wives should keep silent in the assemblies, for they are not permitted to speak, but to be in subordination, as the law also says.

35 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

If they want to learn about something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

Or was it from you that the Word of God went forth? Or was it only to you that it came?

37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the Lord's commands.

38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

But if anyone is ignorant, let him remain so.

39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in ‘languages’.

40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

Let all things be done properly and in order.