1 Corinthians 14

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

Pursue love and be zealous for spiritual gifts, especially 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 the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. For no one understands him because he speaks hidden things in the Spirit.

3 But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people to build them up, to encourage them, and to comfort them.

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

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up 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 wish that you all spoke in tongues. But even more than that, I wish that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues (unless someone 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?

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you? I cannot, unless I speak to you with 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?

If lifeless instruments are producing sounds—like the flute or the harp—and they do not produce different tones, how will anyone know what tune the flute or harp is playing?

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

For if the trumpet is played with an uncertain sound, how will anyone know when it is time to 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.

So it is with you. If you utter speech that is unintelligible, how will anyone understand what you have said? You will be speaking, and no one will understand you.

10 There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without 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.

But if I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

12 So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

So it is with you. Since you are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, try to excel in the gifts that build up the church.

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

So the one who speaks in a tongue should 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 a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

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 am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, and I will also sing with my mind.

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.

Otherwise, if you praise God with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” when you are giving thanks if he does not know what you are saying?

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

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

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

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all 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 in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding so that I might instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Rather, in regard to evil, be like infants. But in your thinking be mature.

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, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Even then they will not hear 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, tongues are a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers. But prophesying is for a sign, not for unbelievers, but for believers.

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?

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders and unbelievers come in, would they not say that you are insane?

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 you all were prophesying and an unbeliever or an outsider came in, he would be convicted by all he hears. He would be judged by all that is said.

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 would be revealed. As a result, he would fall on his face and worship God. He would declare that God is really 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 is next then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Do everything so that you build up the church.

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 anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at most three, and each one in turn, then someone should interpret what is said.

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 each of them keep silent in the church. Let each one speak to himself alone and to God.

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

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others listen with discernment to what is said.

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

But if an insight is given to one who is sitting in the service, let the one who had been speaking be silent.

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

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

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

For the spirits of the prophets are under the control of the 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 is the rule 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.

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak. Instead, they should be in submission, as also the law says.

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 there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

36 Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?

Did the word of God come from you? Are you the only ones it has reached?

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 anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I write to you are a command of the Lord.

38 But if any man know not, he shall not be known.

But if anyone does not recognize this, let him not be recognized.

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

So then, brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

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

But let all things be done properly and in order.