1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual [manifestations], but rather that ye may prophesy.

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

2 For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

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.

3 But he that prophesies speaks to men [in] edification, and encouragement, and consolation.

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

4 He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies [the] assembly.

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

5 Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

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.

6 And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

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?

7 Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

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?

8 For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war?

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

9 Thus also ye with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air.

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.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of undistinguishable sound.

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

11 If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me.

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.

12 Thus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.

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

13 Wherefore let him that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret.

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

14 For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

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

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing also with the understanding.

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.

16 Since otherwise, if thou blessest with [the] spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple [Christian] say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest?

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?

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

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

18 I thank God I speak in a tongue more than all of you:

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

19 but in [the] assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, [rather] than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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

20 Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men].

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

21 It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

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.”

22 So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.

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

23 If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple [persons] enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad?

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?

24 But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple [person] come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all;

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

25 the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon [his] face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you.

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

26 What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each [of you] has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.

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.

27 If any one speak with a tongue, [let it be] two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret;

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

28 but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in [the] assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

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

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

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

30 But if there be a revelation to another sitting [there], let the first be silent.

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

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

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

32 And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33 For God is not [a God] of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

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

34 Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says.

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

35 But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly.

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.

36 Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only?

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

37 If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment.

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

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

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

39 So that, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid the speaking with tongues.

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

40 But let all things be done comelily and with order.

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