1st Corinthians 14
14
CHAPTER 14
1Pursue ye charity, love ye spiritual things, but more that ye prophesy.
2And he that speaketh in tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no man heareth. But the Spirit speaketh mysteries.
3For he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and admonishing, and comforting.
4He that speaketh in tongue, that is, in strange language, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church of God.
5And I will, that all ye speak in tongues, but more that ye prophesy. For he that prophesieth, is more than he that speaketh in languages, [or in tongues]; but peradventure he expound, [or interpret, or declare], that the church take edification.
6But now, brethren, if I come to you, and speak in tongues, what shall I [or it] profit to you, but if I speak to you either in revelation, either in science, either in prophecy, either in teaching?
7For those things that be without soul, [or life], and giveth voices, either pipe, either harp, but those [or they] give distinction of soundings, how shall it be known that that is sung, either that that is trumped [or is harped].
8For if a trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall make himself ready to battle?
9So but ye give an open word by tongue, how shall that that is said be known? For ye shall be speaking in vain [or in the air].
10There be many kinds of languages [or tongues] in this world, and nothing is without voice.
11But if I know not the virtue of a voice, I shall be to him, to whom I shall speak, a barbaric; and he that speaketh to me, shall be a barbaric.
12So ye, for ye be lovers of spirits, [that is, of ghostly gifts], seek ye that ye be plenteous to edification of the church.
13And therefore he that speaketh in language [or in tongue], pray, that he expound [or interpret].
14For if I pray in tongue, my spirit prayeth; mine understanding, [or my mind, or reasoning], is without fruit.
15What then? I shall pray in spirit, I shall pray in mind; I shall say psalm in spirit, I shall say psalm also in mind.
16For if thou blessest in spirit, who filleth the place of an idiot, [or unlearned man], how shall he say Amen on thy blessing, for he knoweth not, what thou sayest?
17For thou doest well thankings [or graces], but another man is not edified.
18I thank my God, for I speak in the language [or the tongue] of all you;
19but in the church I will speak five words in my wit, that also I teach other men, than ten thousand words in tongue [not understood].
20Brethren, do not ye be made children in wits, but in malice be ye children; but in wits be ye perfect.
21For in the law it is written, That in other tongues and other lips I shall speak to this people, and neither so they shall hear me, saith the Lord.
22Therefore languages be into token, not to faithful men, but to men out of the faith; but prophecies be not to men out of the faith, but to faithful men.
23Therefore if all the church come together into one, and all men speak in tongues, if idiots, either men out of the faith, enter, whether they shall not say, What, be ye mad?
24But if all men prophesy, if any unfaithful man or idiot enter, he is convicted of all, he is wisely deemed of all.
25For the hid things of his heart be known, and so he shall fall down on the face, and shall worship God, and show verily that God is in you.
26What then, brethren? When ye come together, each of you hath a psalm, he hath teaching, he hath apocalypse, [or revelation], he hath tongue, he hath expounding [or interpreting]; all things be they done to edification.
27Whether a man speaketh in tongue, [be this done] by two men, either three at the most, and by parts, that one interpret.
28But if there be not an interpreter, be he still [or speak he not] in the church, and speak he to himself and to God.
29Prophets twain or three say, and others wisely deem.
30But if anything be showed to a sitter [or one sitting], the former be still.
31For ye may all prophesy, each by himself, that all men learn, and all admonish.
32And the spirits of prophets be subject to prophets;
33for why God is not of dissension, but of peace; as I teach in all churches of holy men.
34Women in churches be still; for it is not suffered to them to speak, but to be subject, as the law saith.
35But if they will anything learn, ask they their husbands at home; for it is foul thing to a woman to speak in the church.
36Whether the word of God came forth of you, or to you alone it came?
37If any man is seen to be a prophet, or spiritual, know he those things that I write to you, for those [or they] be the commandments of the Lord.
38And if any man unknoweth, he shall be unknowing.
39Therefore, brethren, love ye to prophesy, and do not ye forbid to speak in tongues.
40But be all things done honestly, and by due order in you.
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1st Corinthians 14: WBMS
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Wycliffe’s Bible with Modern Spelling ©2017
Wycliffe’s Apocrypha ©2013, 2015
Wycliffe’s Bible © 2012, 2015
Wycliffe’s New Testament ©2001, 2011
Wycliffe’s Old Testament ©2001, 2010
1 Corinthians 14
14
Worship in a Way That Helps People Understand
1So follow the way of love, and be eager to have the gifts of the Spirit. Most of all, you should want the gift of prophecy. 2Anyone who speaks in an unknown language doesn’t speak to people. They speak only to God. In fact, no one understands them, because what they say by the Spirit remains a mystery. 3But the person who prophesies speaks to people and makes them stronger, gives them hope, and comforts them. 4Those who speak in unknown languages build up only themselves. But the person who prophesies builds up the church. 5I’d like all of you to speak in unknown languages, but I’d rather have you prophesy. The person who prophesies is more helpful than the one who speaks in an unknown language, unless someone explains what they’re saying; then the whole church can be built up.
6Brothers and sisters, if I came to you and spoke in an unknown language, what good would that do? If I really wanted to help you, I’d come with a revelation or insight or prophecy or teaching. 7Think about a musical instrument such as a flute or a harp. No one will know what the tune is unless the notes are played distinctly. 8In the army, if the bugler didn’t play the call clearly, who would get ready for battle? 9It’s the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don’t, no one will know what you’re saying. You’ll just be speaking into the air. 10It is true that there are all kinds of languages in the world and they all have meaning. 11But if I don’t understand what someone is saying, I’m a stranger to the person speaking, and that person is a stranger to me. 12It’s the same with you. Since you’re eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, do your best to use the gifts that build up the church.
13So anyone who speaks in an unknown language should pray that they’ll be able to explain what they say. 14If I pray in an unknown language, my spirit is praying, but my mind is idle. 15So what should I do? I’ll pray with my spirit, but I’ll also pray with my understanding. I’ll sing with my spirit, but I’ll also sing with my understanding. 16Otherwise, if you’re thanking God in the Spirit and there are visitors present who want to know what’s going on, how can they say “Amen” when you give thanks? They don’t know what you’re saying. 17You might be giving thanks, but no one else is being built up.
18I thank God that I speak in unknown languages more than all of you. 19But in the church, I’d rather speak five words in a language people can understand, in order to teach them, than 10,000 words in an unfamiliar language.
20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned, but in your thinking, be like adults. 21In the law it is written,
“With unfamiliar languages
and through the lips of outsiders
I will speak to these people.
But even then they won’t listen to me.”
That is what the Lord says.
22So speaking in unknown languages is a sign for those who don’t believe, not for those who do believe. But prophecy is for those who believe, not for those who don’t. 23Suppose the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in unknown languages. If visitors or unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you’re out of your minds? 24-25But if unbelievers or visitors come in while everyone is prophesying, they’ll feel as if they’re being questioned; the secrets of their hearts will be brought out into the open; and they’ll realize they’ve been doing wrong. Then they’ll fall down and worship God and exclaim, “God is really here among you!”
Proper Worship
26Brothers and sisters, what should we say then? When you come together, each of you should bring something—a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a message in another language, or an explanation of what was said in another language. Everything must be done to build up the church. 27No more than two or three people should speak in another language, and they should speak one at a time. Then someone must explain what was said. 28But if there’s no one to explain, they should keep quiet in the church and only speak to themselves and to God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate what they say. 30If a message comes from God to someone else who’s sitting there, the one who’s speaking should stop and let them speak. 31Those who prophesy should all take turns. In that way, everyone can be taught and encouraged. 32Prophets are able to control their own spirits. 33God is not a God of disorder; he’s a God of peace, as in all the churches of the Lord’s people.
34Women should remain silent in church meetings. They’re not allowed to speak. They must follow the lead of those who are in authority, as the law says. 35If they have a question about something, they should ask their own husbands at home. It’s not proper for women to speak in church meetings.
36Or did the word of God begin with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they’re a prophet or that they have other gifts from the Spirit, they should agree that what I’m writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38But anyone who doesn’t recognize this will not be recognized.
39Brothers and sisters, you should be eager to prophesy, and you shouldn’t stop people from speaking in unknown languages. 40But everything should be done in a proper and orderly way.
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