< 1 Corinthians 14 >

1 You must want to love others more [than you want anything else]. But you should [also] eagerly desire the abilities that [God’s] Spirit [gives to believers]. And you should desire most of all to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God [MTY].
Pursue love, and desire the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 [I say that] because those who speak messages that come directly from God [are speaking in languages that they and the other believers in the congregation know, and so] they are able to strengthen them [spiritually] and to encourage and comfort them. But those who speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned] are not speaking to people. Instead, they are [only] speaking to God. No one understands them. By [the power/guidance of God’s] Spirit (OR, From within [their own] spirit) they speak things that others do not know.
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 who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to people.
4 Those who speak in languages [that they have not learned] are receiving a blessing for themselves, but those who speak messages that come directly from God are giving a blessing to [all the believers in] the congregation [because they are speaking in a language that the congregation knows].
The one speaking in a ‘language’ edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the congregation.
5 I would like you all to have the ability to speak in languages [MTY] [you have not learned]. But I would like even more for you to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God. People can speak messages in a language that they have not learned, but if there is no one there who can explain the meaning, that situation is not as helpful to the congregation as speaking messages that come directly from God [in the language that the congregation knows].
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 My fellow believers, suppose I came and spoke to you in a language that none of you knows [and I did not explain the meaning of what I told you]. Even if I told you something that God had revealed to me, or told you some message that had come directly from him, or taught you something that you needed to know, (that certainly would not help you!/how would that help you?) [RHQ]
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 [It is like] lifeless [musical instruments], like flutes and harps for example. When they are played, if the notes are not played {if [those playing those instruments] do not play the notes} clearly, no one will know what tune is being played {what tune they are playing}. [RHQ]
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 If someone playing the trumpet [wants to signal that the soldiers should prepare to fight a battle], [the soldiers] certainly will not get ready if [the call to battle] is not played {he does not play [the call to battle]} clearly. [RHQ]
Also a trumpet; if it gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle?
9 It is the same with you! If you do not speak words that other people can understand, (no one will know what you are saying./how will anyone know what you are saying?) [RHQ] [It will be as though] you are just speaking to 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 many different languages in the world, and all of them convey meaning [LIT] [to the people who know those languages].
There are probably a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without significance.
11 But if we do not understand the language that others are speaking, [it will be as though] they are foreigners to us, and we will be foreigners to them.
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 So [I say this to] you: Because you are eager to have the abilities that God’s Spirit gives, earnestly desire those abilities that will do the most to help [all the believers in] the congregation.
And you too: since you are zealous for spiritual things, aim at the edification of the congregation, that you may all grow.
13 So, those who have the ability to speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned] should pray that [God will give them the ability to] explain the meaning of what they say.
Therefore the one speaking in a ‘language’ should pray that he may interpret.
14 If they pray in a language [MTY] [that they have not learned], their spirits are praying, but they are not using their minds.
For if I pray in a ‘language’, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 So I will tell you [RHQ] what we should do. [At times] we may pray, [using] only our spirits, [in languages we have not learned. And at other times] we should pray using our minds, [thinking about the words that we are praying. Similarly], at times we may sing using only our spirits, using languages that we have not learned, and at other times we should sing using our minds, [thinking about the words that we are singing].
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 Suppose that any one of you praises God (OR, thanks God for what he has done), using only your [(sg)] spirit [and not using your mind]. Maybe some people [will be present who] do not know about [the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers]. Because they do not know what you are saying, after you thank God, they will not [RHQ] know when to say “Amen!/I agree!”
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 You may be thanking God very well, but you are not helping them.
You, of course, give thanks quite well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in languages [MTY] [that I have not learned] more than any of you do.
I thank my God speaking in ‘languages’ more than you all,
19 But during a worship service, [in order that others will understand what I am saying], I would prefer to speak five words using my mind, in order that I may teach others, rather than to speak 10,000 words in a language [MTY] [that is not understood by the congregation].
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 My fellow believers, stop being like little children in the way that you think [about these abilities that God’s Spirit gives]. Instead, think about them in a mature way. If you really want to be like little children, do as few wicked things as babies do!
Brothers, stop thinking like children—well, in malice be ‘infants’, but in thinking be adults.
21 [When the Jews long ago refused to obey God, he warned them about what would happen when he allowed their enemies to punish them]. In the Scriptures it is written {[the prophet Isaiah] wrote} what the Lord [God] said [about that], [They didn’t listen to prophets speaking their own language, so I will send] people from foreign [lands to attack] my people. Those foreigners will speak languages that my people do not know [DOU]. [In that way], I will warn my people, but they will still not pay attention to what I say.
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 If we speak in languages [MTY] [that we have not learned], unbelievers [who are there will realize that the Spirit of God is truly among us]. That will warn them [that they need to fear God]. But believers do not [need such a warning].
Therefore the ‘languages’ are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; while prophesying is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 Suppose during the worship service everyone started to speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned]. If unbelievers or people who do not know [about the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers] come in [and hear that], they will surely think that you are crazy. [RHQ]
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 an unbeliever or someone who does not know [about those abilities] comes in while all of you believers are [one by one] speaking messages that come directly from God, everything that you [say] will show that person that he is a sinner and that [God] will punish him [if he does not turn from his sinful behavior].
But if everyone is prophesying, and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is reproved by all, he is examined by all.
25 He will realize that [God knows the evil things that he has done that], things that other people do not know. Then he will kneel down and worship God and say, “God is truly among you!”
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 So, my fellow believers, I will tell you [RHQ] what I think that you should be doing. When you come together [to worship God], some of you may have a hymn to sing. Others may have something to teach [the congregation]. Others may have [something to say that God has] revealed to them. Others may give messages in languages [that they have not learned]. Others will explain the meaning of those messages. Make sure that all of these things that you do will make the congregation become more mature spiritually.
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 [It is all right] if two people, or at the most three people, speak in languages [MTY] [that they have not learned]. But they must speak one at a time, and someone must explain the meaning of what the others have said.
If anyone speaks in a ‘language’, let it be two—at the most three—and in turn, and let one interpret.
28 If [those who want to speak in a language that they have not learned realize that] there is no one [there] who will be able to explain the meaning [of what they will say], they should not speak in that language during the meeting. Instead, they should speak to God by themselves, [somewhere else].
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.
29 [During a meeting], two or three people should speak messages that come directly from God, and others who are there should think carefully about what those people have said.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.
30 If someone receives a new message directly from God while someone else is speaking, the one who is speaking should stop speaking [and let the other person tell what God has revealed to him].
But if another who is sitting by receives a revelation, the first should stop speaking.
31 You can all, one by one, speak messages that have come directly from God, in order that you can teach others and all be encouraged {encourage everyone}.
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
32 Those who speak messages that come directly from God are in control of their own spirits, [so they can wait for their turn to speak].
Yes, spirits of prophets are subordinate to prophets.
33 Remember that God does not desire that things be done in a disorderly way [during your worship services]. Instead, he desires that everything be done in an orderly way. Just like it happens in all the other congregations of believers,
Further, God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,
34 the women should not be permitted {do not permit the women} [to interrupt the meeting by] asking [questions]. They must keep quiet. They must be subject [to their husbands]. What Moses wrote [PRS] [about how God created the first two people] suggests [that the women should do that].
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 If they want to know [more] about something [that a speaker said], they should ask their husbands when they get home, for it is disgraceful for women to [interrupt a service by] asking [such questions].
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 [If you do not agree with these things that I have been telling you], remember that [RHQ] the message from God did not first come from you [people in Corinth]. Also, you are not [RHQ] the only ones who have heard it! [Many others have heard it and accepted it, so you should not act as though you are the only believers who have heard the message from God].
Or was it from you that the Word of God went forth? Or was it only to you that it came?
37 Those of you who think that you have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God, or think that you have some other ability [that God’s] Spirit gives, should realize that the things that I have written about in this letter are things that the Lord has commanded.
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 they are not willing to accept [my authority], [God] will not accept them (OR, they will not be accepted [by the congregation]).
But if anyone is ignorant, let him remain so.
39 So, my fellow believers, be eager to speak messages that come directly from God, and do not prevent anyone from speaking in a language [that he has not learned].
So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in ‘languages’.
40 But make sure [that] everything that you do [during the worship services] is done in a proper and orderly way.
Let all things be done properly and in order.

< 1 Corinthians 14 >