1 Corinthians — Chapter 14

1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?

9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,

25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.

31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

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

2For 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.

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

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

5I 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.

6Now, 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?

7And 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?

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

9So 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.

10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11Therefore 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.

12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

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

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

15What 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.

16Else 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?

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

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

19Yet 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.

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

21In 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.

22Wherefore 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.

23If 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?

24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25And 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.

26How 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.

27If 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.

28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

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

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

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

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

34Let 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.

35And 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.

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

37If 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.

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

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

40Let all things be done decently and in order.

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

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

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

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

5Now 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.

6But 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?

7Even 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?

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

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

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

11If 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.

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

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

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

15What 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.

16Else 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?

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

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

19howbeit 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.

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

21In 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.

22Wherefore 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.

23If 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?

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

25the 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.

26What 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.

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

28but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

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

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

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

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

34let 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.

35And 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.

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

37If 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.

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

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

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

1Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

4The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

5I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

7It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

8If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?

9It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

11If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

13So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

16Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

19but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

21It is written in the law: “By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,” says the Lord.

22So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

23So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?

24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

25The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, “God is really among you.”

26What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

27If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

29Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.

30And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.

31For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.

32Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.As in all the churches of the saints,

34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.

35If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

36Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?

37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

38If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

40And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

1Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.

6But 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?

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

8For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9So 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.

10There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

11If then I don’t 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.

12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

13Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

14For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15What 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.

16Otherwise 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?

17For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

18I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

19However 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.

20Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

21In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.”

22Therefore 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.

23If 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?

24But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

25And 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.

26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you 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.

27If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

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

31For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.

32The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

34Let 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,

35if 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.”

36What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

37If 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.

38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

40Let all things be done decently and in order.