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
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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