1 Corinthians 14

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

Strive to possess love; and desire earnestly the spiritual gifts, but especially that of prophesying.

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 he that speaketh in an [[unknown]] tongue speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one heareth; but in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries;

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

but he that prophesieth speaketh to men edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

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

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

I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

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

And even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, if they make no distinction in the sounds, how shall that be known which is piped or harped?

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

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the 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 will speak into the air.

So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall that be known which is spoken? For ye 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.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and not one 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 know not the meaning of the language, I shall be to him that speaketh a foreigner, and he that speaketh 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 ye, since ye are eager to possess spiritual gifts, be earnest to abound in them to the edification of the church.

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

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [[unknown]] tongue 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 an [[unknown]] tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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.

How stands 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?

Else, if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, since he understandeth not what thou art saying?

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

For thou indeed givest thanks well; but the other is not edified.

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

I thank God, I speak in an [[unknown]] tongue more than ye 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.

yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in an [[unknown]] tongue.

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

Brethren, do not become children in understanding; yet in malice be children, but in understanding be men.

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: “With men of other tongues and with other lips will I speak to this people,

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.

and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.” Wherefore the tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers, but for believers.

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 be assembled in one place, and all be speaking with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

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 there come in one that is an unbeliever, or unlearned, he is convinced by all, he is searched through 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.

the secrets of his heart become manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is indeed within you.

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.

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a lesson of instruction, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation; let all things be done for edification.

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 any one speak in an [[unknown]] tongue, let it be by two, or, at the most, by 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 be no interpreter, let him keep silence 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.

And of the prophets let two or three speak, and let the others judge;

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

if anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first speaker be silent.

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

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

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

And spirits of prophets are subject to 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 your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted them to speak, but they are to be in subjection, as also saith the Law.

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.

And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.

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

What! Did the word of God come forth from you? 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 any one thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know surely that the directions I am writing to you are the Lord's;

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

but if any one be ignorant, let him be ignorant!

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

Wherefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues;

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

but let all things be done becomingly, and in order.