1 Corinthians 14
Paul teaches that prophecy is greater than tongues in the assembly because it edifies the church, while tongues without interpretation edify only the speaker. He instructs that all things in worship must be done decently and in order, with no more than two or three speaking in tongues, and each in turn with an interpreter.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. | Pursue charity, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. |
| 2 | For 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. | For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. No one understands him — he utters mysteries in the Spirit. |
| 3 | But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. | But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. |
| 4 | He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. | The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. |
| 5 | I 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. | I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have You prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he also interprets, so that the church may be built up. |
| 6 | Now, 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? | Now, brothers, if I come to You speaking in tongues, what good will I be to You unless I bring some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? |
| 7 | And 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? | Even lifeless instruments, like the flute or harp, must give distinct notes — otherwise how will anyone know what is being played? |
| 8 | For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? | If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? |
| 9 | So 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. | So it is with You. Unless You speak words that can be understood, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. |
| 10 | There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. | Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. |
| 11 | Therefore 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. | If then I do not understand the meaning of what someone is saying, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. |
| 12 | Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. | So it is with You. Since You are eager for spiritual gifts, try to excel in those that build up the church. |
| 13 | Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. | For this reason, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what He says. |
| 14 | For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. | If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind 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. | So what 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. |
| 16 | Else 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? | Otherwise, if You are praising God in the spirit, how can someone who does not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving? He does not know what You are saying. |
| 17 | For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. | You may be giving thanks very well, but the other person is not built up. |
| 18 | I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: | I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of You. |
| 19 | Yet 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. | But in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. |
| 20 | Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. | Brothers, do not be childish in Your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in Your thinking be mature. |
| 21 | In 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. | In the law it is written: "With people of strange tongues and other lips I will speak to this people, and even then they will not hear Me, says the Lord." |
| 22 | Wherefore 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. | So then tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not unbelievers. |
| 23 | If 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? | So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that You are out of Your minds? |
| 24 | But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: | But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everyone is prophesying, He will be convicted by all and judged by all. |
| 25 | And 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. | The secrets of His heart will be revealed. He will fall down and worship God, declaring, "God is truly among You." |
| 26 | How 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. | What then shall we say, brothers? When You come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done to build up the church. |
| 27 | If 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. | If anyone speaks in a tongue, two — or at most three — should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. |
| 28 | But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. | If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to Himself and to God. |
| 29 | Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. | Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. |
| 30 | If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. | And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. |
| 31 | For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. | For You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may learn and be encouraged. |
| 32 | And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. | The spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of prophets. |
| 33 | For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace — as in all the churches of the saints. |
| 34 | Let 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. | Let Your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law. |
| 35 | And 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. | If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. |
| 36 | What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? | Did the word of God originate with You? Or are You the only people it has reached? |
| 37 | If 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. | If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to You is the Lord's command. |
| 38 | But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. | If anyone ignores this, he will be ignored. |
| 39 | Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. | Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. |
| 40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | But everything should be done in a proper and orderly way. |