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1 Corinthians 14

Go after love, and set your hearts on spiritual gifts — but especially that you may prophesy. Because the man who speaks in a tongue isn't speaking to men but to God. Nobody understands him, though in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But the man who prophesies speaks to men, to build them up and encourage them and comfort them. The man who

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Prophecy and tongues

Go after love, and set your hearts on spiritual gifts — but especially that you may prophesy. Because the man who speaks in a tongue isn't speaking to men but to God. Nobody understands him, though in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But the man who prophesies speaks to men, to build them up and encourage them and comfort them. The man who speaks in a tongue builds himself up. But the man who prophesies builds up the church. I would like you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. Because the man who prophesies is greater than the man who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so the church may be built up. Now brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even lifeless things that make a sound — a pipe or a harp — if they don't give distinct notes, how will anyone know what tune is being played? And if the trumpet gives an uncertain call, who will get ready for battle? It is the same with you. Unless you speak words that can be understood, how will anyone know what is being said? You will just be talking into the air. There may be ever so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. But if I don't know what the sounds mean, I will be a foreigner to the man speaking, and he will be a foreigner to me. It is the same with you. Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to excel at building up the church. So let the man who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. Because if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding as well. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding as well. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the unlearned man say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man isn't built up. I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so I can teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, don't be children in your thinking. Be infants when it comes to malice, but be grown men in your thinking.

Follow after love and want spiritual gifts, but rather that you can prophesy. Because the one who speaks in an unknown tongue doesn't speak to men but to God. Because nobody understands him. But in the spirit he speaks secrets. But the one who prophesies speaks to men to build up and to push on and to comfort. The one who speaks in an unknown tongue builds up himself. But the one who prophesies builds up the church. I'd wish you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied. Because greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he gives the meaning, so the church can get building up. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what'll I profit you, unless I speak to you either by showing or by knowledge or by prophesying or by teaching? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a difference in the sounds, how will it be known what's piped or harped? Because if the trumpet gives an unsure sound, who'll get himself ready for the battle? That's how you too, unless you speak words easy to understand with the tongue, how will it be known what's spoken? Because you'll speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. So if I don't know the meaning of the voice, I'll be to the one who speaks a foreigner, and the one who speaks will be a foreigner to me. That's how you too, since you want spiritual gifts strongly, look to have plenty of them to the building up of the church. So let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he can give the meaning. Because if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is fruitless. What is it then? I'll pray with the spirit, and I'll pray with the understanding too. I'll sing with the spirit, and I'll sing with the understanding too. Or else when you bless with the spirit, how will the one who's in the place of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't understand what you say? Because you truly give thanks well, but the other isn't built up. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I'd rather speak five words with my understanding, so I could teach others too, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brothers, don't be children in understanding. But in badness be children, but in understanding be grown men.

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 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. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 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. 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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 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. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 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. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. 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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 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. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1

Go after love, and set your hearts on spiritual gifts — but especially that you may prophesy.

Plain English

Follow after love and want spiritual gifts, but rather that you can prophesy.

King James Version, 1611

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2

Because the man who speaks in a tongue isn't speaking to men but to God. Nobody understands him, though in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

Plain English

Because the one who speaks in an unknown tongue doesn't speak to men but to God. Because nobody understands him. But in the spirit he speaks secrets.

King James Version, 1611

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.

3

But the man who prophesies speaks to men, to build them up and encourage them and comfort them.

Plain English

But the one who prophesies speaks to men to build up and to push on and to comfort.

King James Version, 1611

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4

The man who speaks in a tongue builds himself up. But the man who prophesies builds up the church.

Plain English

The one who speaks in an unknown tongue builds up himself. But the one who prophesies builds up the church.

King James Version, 1611

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

5

I would like you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. Because the man who prophesies is greater than the man who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so the church may be built up.

Plain English

I'd wish you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied. Because greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he gives the meaning, so the church can get building up.

King James Version, 1611

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.

6

Now brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Plain English

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what'll I profit you, unless I speak to you either by showing or by knowledge or by prophesying or by teaching?

King James Version, 1611

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?

7

Even lifeless things that make a sound — a pipe or a harp — if they don't give distinct notes, how will anyone know what tune is being played?

Plain English

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a difference in the sounds, how will it be known what's piped or harped?

King James Version, 1611

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?

8

And if the trumpet gives an uncertain call, who will get ready for battle?

Plain English

Because if the trumpet gives an unsure sound, who'll get himself ready for the battle?

King James Version, 1611

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

9

It is the same with you. Unless you speak words that can be understood, how will anyone know what is being said? You will just be talking into the air.

Plain English

That's how you too, unless you speak words easy to understand with the tongue, how will it be known what's spoken? Because you'll speak into the air.

King James Version, 1611

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.

10

There may be ever so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

Plain English

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

King James Version, 1611

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11

But if I don't know what the sounds mean, I will be a foreigner to the man speaking, and he will be a foreigner to me.

Plain English

So if I don't know the meaning of the voice, I'll be to the one who speaks a foreigner, and the one who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

King James Version, 1611

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.

12

It is the same with you. Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to excel at building up the church.

Plain English

That's how you too, since you want spiritual gifts strongly, look to have plenty of them to the building up of the church.

King James Version, 1611

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

13

So let the man who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Plain English

So let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he can give the meaning.

King James Version, 1611

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14

Because if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Plain English

Because if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is fruitless.

King James Version, 1611

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15

What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding as well. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding as well.

Plain English

What is it then? I'll pray with the spirit, and I'll pray with the understanding too. I'll sing with the spirit, and I'll sing with the understanding too.

King James Version, 1611

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.

16

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the unlearned man say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you are saying?

Plain English

Or else when you bless with the spirit, how will the one who's in the place of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't understand what you say?

King James Version, 1611

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?

17

You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man isn't built up.

Plain English

Because you truly give thanks well, but the other isn't built up.

King James Version, 1611

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18

I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Plain English

I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.

King James Version, 1611

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

19

But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so I can teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Plain English

Yet in the church I'd rather speak five words with my understanding, so I could teach others too, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

King James Version, 1611

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.

20

Brothers, don't be children in your thinking. Be infants when it comes to malice, but be grown men in your thinking.

Plain English

Brothers, don't be children in understanding. But in badness be children, but in understanding be grown men.

King James Version, 1611

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Order in the church

In the law it is written: By men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people. And even then they won't listen to me, says the Lord. So tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. And prophesying is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together in one place and everyone speaks in tongues, and unlearned people or unbelievers come in, will they not say you are mad? But if everyone prophesies and an unbeliever or unlearned man comes in, he is convicted by all and judged by all. And so the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And falling on his face he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. How is it then, brothers? When you come together, each of you has a psalm, or a teaching, or a tongue, or a revelation, or an interpretation. Let everything be done to build people up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two, or at most three, and one at a time. And let someone interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep quiet in the church, and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. And if something is revealed to another man sitting there, let the first one stop. Because you can all prophesy one by one, so everyone may learn and everyone be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Because God isn't a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches, because they aren't permitted to speak. They are to be under obedience, as the law also says. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home. Because it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the commandment of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant of it, let him be ignorant. So brothers, set your hearts on prophesying, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. Let everything be done decently and in order.

In the teaching it's written: With men of other tongues and other lips I'll speak to this people. And still for all that they won't hear me, says the Lord. So tongues are for a sign, not to the ones who believe but to the ones who don't believe. But prophesying serves not the ones who don't believe but the ones who believe. So if the whole church comes together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in ones who are unlearned or don't believe, won't they say you're mad? But if all prophesy, and there comes in one who doesn't believe or one unlearned, he's shown up by all, he's judged by all. And so the secrets of his heart are made plain. And so falling down on his face he'll bow down to God and report that God is in you truly. How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has something shown him, has a meaning. Let everything be done to building up. If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and that in turn. And let one give the meaning. But if there isn't one to give the meaning, let him keep quiet in the church. And let him speak to himself and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If anything is shown to another sitting by, let the first hold his peace. Because you can all prophesy one by one, so all can learn and all can be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are under the prophets. Because God isn't the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the holy ones. Let your women keep quiet in the churches. Because it isn't allowed them to speak. But they're to be under, the way the teaching says too. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. Because it's a shame for women to speak in the church. What? Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it come to you only? If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him own up that the things I write to you are the orders of the Lord. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant. So, brothers, want to prophesy, and don't stop speaking with tongues. Let everything be done properly and in order.

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. 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. 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? 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: 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. 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. 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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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. 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. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

21

In the law it is written: By men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people. And even then they won't listen to me, says the Lord.

Plain English

In the teaching it's written: With men of other tongues and other lips I'll speak to this people. And still for all that they won't hear me, says the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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.

22

So tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. And prophesying is not for unbelievers but for believers.

Plain English

So tongues are for a sign, not to the ones who believe but to the ones who don't believe. But prophesying serves not the ones who don't believe but the ones who believe.

King James Version, 1611

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.

23

So if the whole church comes together in one place and everyone speaks in tongues, and unlearned people or unbelievers come in, will they not say you are mad?

Plain English

So if the whole church comes together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in ones who are unlearned or don't believe, won't they say you're mad?

King James Version, 1611

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?

24

But if everyone prophesies and an unbeliever or unlearned man comes in, he is convicted by all and judged by all.

Plain English

But if all prophesy, and there comes in one who doesn't believe or one unlearned, he's shown up by all, he's judged by all.

King James Version, 1611

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:

25

And so the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And falling on his face he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Plain English

And so the secrets of his heart are made plain. And so falling down on his face he'll bow down to God and report that God is in you truly.

King James Version, 1611

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.

26

How is it then, brothers? When you come together, each of you has a psalm, or a teaching, or a tongue, or a revelation, or an interpretation. Let everything be done to build people up.

Plain English

How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has something shown him, has a meaning. Let everything be done to building up.

King James Version, 1611

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.

27

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two, or at most three, and one at a time. And let someone interpret.

Plain English

If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and that in turn. And let one give the meaning.

King James Version, 1611

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.

28

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep quiet in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

Plain English

But if there isn't one to give the meaning, let him keep quiet in the church. And let him speak to himself and to God.

King James Version, 1611

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

Plain English

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.

King James Version, 1611

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30

And if something is revealed to another man sitting there, let the first one stop.

Plain English

If anything is shown to another sitting by, let the first hold his peace.

King James Version, 1611

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

31

Because you can all prophesy one by one, so everyone may learn and everyone be encouraged.

Plain English

Because you can all prophesy one by one, so all can learn and all can be comforted.

King James Version, 1611

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Plain English

And the spirits of the prophets are under the prophets.

King James Version, 1611

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33

Because God isn't a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Plain English

Because God isn't the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the holy ones.

King James Version, 1611

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34

Let your women keep silence in the churches, because they aren't permitted to speak. They are to be under obedience, as the law also says.

Plain English

Let your women keep quiet in the churches. Because it isn't allowed them to speak. But they're to be under, the way the teaching says too.

King James Version, 1611

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.

35

And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home. Because it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Plain English

And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. Because it's a shame for women to speak in the church.

King James Version, 1611

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.

36

What? Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it come to you only?

King James Version, 1611

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37

If anyone thinks he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the commandment of the Lord.

Plain English

If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him own up that the things I write to you are the orders of the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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.

38

But if anyone is ignorant of it, let him be ignorant.

Plain English

But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

King James Version, 1611

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39

So brothers, set your hearts on prophesying, and don't forbid speaking in tongues.

Plain English

So, brothers, want to prophesy, and don't stop speaking with tongues.

King James Version, 1611

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40

Let everything be done decently and in order.

Plain English

Let everything be done properly and in order.

King James Version, 1611

Let all things be done decently and in order.