1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

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

2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

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 that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

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

4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

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

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

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, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

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 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

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

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

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak 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 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.

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

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto 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 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of 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 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.

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

14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

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

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

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 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

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

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

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

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

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] 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 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

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

21 In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith 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 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

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

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

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 all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of 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 thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

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 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

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 any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one 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 be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

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

30 If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

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

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

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

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

Yes, spirits of prophets are subordinate to prophets.

33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

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

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

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 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women 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 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

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

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

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 any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

But if anyone is ignorant, let him remain so.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

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

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Let all things be done properly and in order.