1 Corinthians 14
14
1 Corinthians 14
1¶ Follow after charity and earnestly pursue spiritual gifts, but above all, that ye may prophesy.
2For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God, for no one understands him, even though by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3But he that prophesies speaks unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.
4He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he that prophesies edifies the congregation. {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}
5I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied, for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} may receive edifying.
6¶ Now, brothers, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either with revelation or with knowledge or with prophecy or with doctrine?
7And even things without life giving sound, whether flute or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is played or harped?
8For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue a clear and definite word, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10There are many kinds of distinct voices in the world, and nothing is dumb.
11Therefore, if I ignore the virtue of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaks as a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian unto me.
12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye desire the things of the Spirit, earnestly pursue excellence unto the edification of the congregation. {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}
13Therefore, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, 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.
16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the place of the ignorant say, Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understands 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 congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20Brothers, be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be ye children; but in understanding be perfect.
21¶ In the law it is written, In other tongues and with other lips I will speak unto this people; and yet for all that, they will not hear me, saith the Lord.
22Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those that believe, but to those that do not believe; but prophecy is not for those that do not believe, but for those who believe.
23If, therefore, the whole congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} is 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 does not believe or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all;
25for the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is indeed in you.
26¶ How is it then, brothers? when ye come together, each one of you has a psalm, has doctrine, has tongues, has revelation, has interpretation. Let all things be done unto edification.
27If anyone speaks 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 is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the congregation, {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} and let him speak to himself and to God.
29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.
30If any thing is revealed to another that sits by, let the first be silent.
31For ye may all 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 the God of disorder, but of peace, as in all the congregations {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of the saints.
34¶ Let your women keep silence in the congregations, {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be in subjection, as also saith the law.
35And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a dishonest thing for women to speak in the congregation. {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}
36¶ What? Did the word of God come out from you? or did it come unto you only?
37If anyone thinks 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 anyone that ignores them shall be ignored.
39Therefore, brothers, earnestly pursue prophecy and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
40But let all things be done decently and in order.
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The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) by Ransom Press International
1 Corinthians 14
14
Prophecy and Tongues
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 #14:11 Literally a barbarian; twice in this verse 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,#14:16 Or in the 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.”#14:21 Isaiah 28:11–12
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!”
Orderly Worship
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.#14:33 Or of peace. As in all the churches of the saints: Thus, some translators begin the new paragraph after peace.
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.#14:35 Some manuscripts place verses 34–35 after verse 40.
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.#14:38 BYZ and TR let him be ignorant
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.
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The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.