1 Corinthians 14

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

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

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

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

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

But he who prophesies speaks to people for their encouragement, strengthening, and comfort.

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

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

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

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

6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in languages, 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, 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 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?

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

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

For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for 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 will speak 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 none of them [is] without signification.

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

11 Therefore, if 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 to me.

If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would 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.

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

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

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

14 For if I pray in an [unknown] language, 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 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.

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 fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not know what you say?

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

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

18 I thank my God, I speak in languages more than ye all:

I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all.

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] language.

However in the church 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 understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Brothers, do not be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

21 In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

In the law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people; but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.

22 Wherefore languages 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 who believe.

Therefore tongues 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 is assembled in one place, and all speak in languages, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are insane?

If therefore the whole church is assembled together and all speak in tongues, 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 that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced 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 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 in truth.

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 How is it then, brethren? when ye are assembled, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a language, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.

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

27 If any man speaketh in an [unknown] language, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.

If anyone speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

28 But if there is 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 church, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

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

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

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

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, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

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 [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

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

let the women keep silent in the churches, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, 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 desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the church.

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

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 acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

If anyone 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 someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in languages.

Therefore, my brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently, and in order.

Let all things be done decently and in order.