1 Corinthians 14

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

Follow after divine love; and seek the spiritual gifts, but rather 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.

For the one speaking with a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one hears him; but he speaks mysteries in the spirit:

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

but the one prophesying speaks to men edification, exhortation, and comfort.

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

The one speaking with a tongue edifies himself; but the one prophesying edifies the church.

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.

But I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you may prophesy: but greater is the one prophesying, than the one speaking with tongues, unless he may interpret, in order that the church 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?

But now, brethren, if I may come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or in instruction?

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?

Nevertheless things without life, giving forth a voice, whether pipe or harp, if it may not give a distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped?

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

For if indeed the trumpet may give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the war?

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.

Thus also if you through the tongue may give an indistinct word, how will that which is spoken be known? for you will 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.

If it so happens that there are so many kinds of voices in the world, and nothing without a voice;

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.

if then I do not understand the power of the voice, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a barbarian 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.

So also you, since you are zealots of spirits, seek that you may abound unto the edification of the church.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.

Therefore let the one speaking with a tongue, pray that one may interpret.

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

For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit is praying, but my mind is not fruitful.

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.

Then what is it? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind also: I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my mind also.

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?

Since if you may bless with the spirit, how will one occupying the place of the unlearned say Amen to your blessing? since he does not know what you are saying.

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

For you indeed bless beautifully, but the other is not edified.

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

I thank God, I speak with tongue 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 I would rather speak five words in the church with my understanding, so that I may indeed teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Brethren, be not children in intellect: but be infants in evil, but be perfect in intellect.

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.

It has been written in the law; I will speak to this people with other tongues and with the lips of others; and thus they will not hearken unto 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.

So tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelievers: and prophecy is not for the unbelievers, but for the 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?

Then if the whole church may come together, and all may speak with tongues, and the unlearned or unbelievers may come in, will they not say that you are gone mad?

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 all may prophesy, and some unbeliever or unlearned person may come in, he is convicted by all, he is discerned 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.

the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and thus falling upon his face he will worship God, proclaiming that God is truly in 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.

Then what is it, brethren? When you may come together, each one has a psalm, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to 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 one speaks with a tongue, let it he by twos, or at most by threes, and separately; 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 may be no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; but let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

But let two or three prophets speak, and let the others give audience;

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

but if something may be revealed to another sitting down, let the first be silent.

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

For you are all able to prophesy one by one, in order that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

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

Truly the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

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

for he is not a God of confusion, but of peace. So in all the churches 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.

let the women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to talk; but let them be subordinate, 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.

But if they wish to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

Whether did the word of God come out from you? or has it reached unto you alone?

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 any one seems to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him understand the things which I write to you, that they are of the Lord;

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

but if any one ignores, he is ignored.

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

So, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues;

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

but let all things be done decently and in order.