1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

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

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

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

He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

6 But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?

For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9 So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no [kind] is without signification.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding 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.

What should I do? 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.

16 Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?

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

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

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

I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

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

However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

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

Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

21 In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying [is for a sign], not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.

23 If therefore the whole church be assembled together, and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most three, and [that] in turn; and let one interpret:

If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or 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 the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

29 And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern.

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

30 But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

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

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

32 and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33 for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace; as in all the churches of the saints.

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

34 Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,

35 And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”

36 What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

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

But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

40 But let all things be done decently and in order.

Let all things be done decently and in order.