1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.

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

2 For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh 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 he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

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

4 He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

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

5 And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, 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, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either 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 things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

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 if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

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

9 So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall 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 There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

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

11 If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian 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 you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

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

13 And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

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

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.

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

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

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 Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

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

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

18 I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.

Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all,

19 But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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 Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.

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

21 In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith 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 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to 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 therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?

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 all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of 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 made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.

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 How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to 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 any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one 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 be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to 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 rest judge.

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

30 But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.

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

31 For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:

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

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

The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,

33 For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I 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 Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.

"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 But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the 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 Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?

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

37 If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they 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 But if any man know not, he shall not be known.

But if any one disregard it he will be disregarded.

39 Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.

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

40 But let all things be done decently, and according to order.

Let everything be done decently and in order.