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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1 Corinthians 14: JUB
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The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) by Ransom Press International
1 Corinthians 14
14
Speak in Ways That Can Be Understood
1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed. 2When a person speaks in another language, he doesn’t speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries. 3But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them. 4When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow. 5I wish that all of you could speak in other languages, but especially that you could speak what God has revealed. The person who speaks what God has revealed is more important than the person who speaks in other languages. This is true unless he can interpret what he says to help the church grow. 6Brothers and sisters, it wouldn’t do you any good if I came to you speaking in other languages, unless I explained revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine to you.
7Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? 8For example, if the trumpet doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9In the same way, if you don’t speak in a way that can be understood, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You will be talking into thin air.
10No matter how many different languages there are in the world, not one of them is without meaning. 11If I don’t know what a language means, I will be a foreigner to the person who speaks it and that person will be a foreigner to me. 12In the same way, since you’re eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow. 13So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says.
14If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive. 15So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind. 16Otherwise, if you praise God only with your spirit, how can outsiders say “Amen!” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They don’t know what you’re saying. 17Your prayer of thanksgiving may be very good, but it doesn’t help other people grow. 18I thank God that I speak in other languages more than any of you. 19Yet, in order to teach others in church, I would rather say five words that can be understood than ten thousand words in another language.
20Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but think like mature people. 21God’s word says,
“Through people who speak foreign languages
and through the mouths of foreigners
I will speak to these people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22So the gift of speaking in other languages is a sign for unbelievers, not for believers. The gift of speaking what God has revealed is a sign for believers, not for unbelievers. 23Suppose the whole congregation gathers in the same place and you speak in other languages. When outsiders or unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you’re out of your mind? 24Now suppose you speak what God has revealed. When unbelievers or outsiders come in you will show them where they are wrong and convince them that they are sinners. 25The secrets in their hearts will become known, and in this way they will quickly bow with their faces touching the ground, worship God, and confess that God is truly among you.
Maintain Order in Your Worship Services
26So what does this mean, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each person has a psalm, doctrine, revelation, another language, or an interpretation. Everything must be done to help each other grow. 27If people speak in other languages, only two or three at the most should speak. They should do it one at a time, and someone must interpret what each person says. 28But if an interpreter isn’t present, those people should remain silent in church. They should only speak to themselves and to God.
29Two or three people should speak what God has revealed. Everyone else should decide whether what each person said is right or wrong. 30If God reveals something to another person who is seated, the first speaker should be silent. 31All of you can take your turns speaking what God has revealed. In that way, everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32People who speak what God has revealed must control themselves. 33God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace.
As in all the churches of God’s holy people, 34the women must keep silent. They don’t have the right to speak. They must take their place as Moses’ Teachings say. 35If they want to know anything they should ask their husbands at home. It’s shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36Did God’s word originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?
37Whoever thinks that he speaks for God or that he is spiritually gifted must acknowledge that what I write to you is what the Lord commands. 38But whoever ignores what I write should be ignored.
39So, brothers and sisters, desire to speak what God has revealed, and don’t keep anyone from speaking in other languages. 40Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.