1 Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.
Seek this Love earnestly, and strive for spiritual gifts, above all for the gift of preaching.
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.
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ is speaking, not to men, but to God, for no one understands him; yet in spirit he is speaking of hidden truths.
3 But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
But he who preaches is speaking to his fellow men words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement.
4 He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ builds up his own faith, while he who preaches builds up the faith of 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 want you all to speak in ‘tongues,’ but much more I wish that you should preach. A Preacher is of more account than he who speaks in ‘tongues,’ unless he interprets his words, so that the faith of 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?
This being so, Brothers, what good shall 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 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?
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 give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
If the bugle sounds a doubtful call, who will prepare 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.
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, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.
There is, for instance, a certain number of different languages in the world, and not one of them fails to convey 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, however, I do not happen to know the language, I shall be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me.
12 So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
And so with you; since your are striving for spiritual gifts, be eager to excel in such as will build up the faith of the Church.
13 And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.
Therefore let him who, when speaking, uses the gift of ‘tongues’ pray for ability to interpret them.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.
If, when praying, I use the gift of ‘tongues,’ my spirit indeed prays, but my mind is a blank.
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, 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 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.
If you bless God with your spirit only, how can the man in the congregation who is without your gift say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving? He does not know what you are saying!
17 For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Your thanksgiving may be excellent, but the other is not helped by it.
18 I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.
Thank God, I use the gift of ‘tongues’ more than any of you.
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 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 Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.
Brothers, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves 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.
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 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.
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 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?
So, when the whole Church meets, if all present use the gift of ‘tongues,’ and some men 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 there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all.
While, if all those present use the gift of preaching, and an unbeliever, or a man without the gift, comes in, he is convinced of his sinfulness by them all, he is called to account by them 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.
the secrets of his heart are revealed, and then, throwing himself on his face, he will worship God, and declare ‘God is indeed among 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 do I suggest, then, Brothers? 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 speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, 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 some one should interpret them.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and 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 And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.
Of preachers two or three should speak, and the rest should weigh well what is said.
30 But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.
But, if some revelation is made to another person as he sits there, the first speaker should stop.
31 For you may all 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 And 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 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 disorder, but of peace.) This custom prevails in all the Churches of Christ’s People.
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.
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 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.
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 Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?
What! did God’s Message to the world originate with you? or did it find its way to none but you?
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 that he has the gift of preaching or any other spiritual gift, let him recognise that what I am now saying to you is a command from the Lord.
38 But if any man know not, he shall not be known.
Any one who ignores it may be ignored.
39 Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Therefore, my Brothers, strive for the gift of preaching, and yet do not forbid speaking in ‘tongues.’
40 But let all things be done decently, and according to order.
Let everything be done in a proper and orderly manner.
