NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

4The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

5I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

7It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

7Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?

8If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?

8For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

9It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

11If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

11If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

13So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

16Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

16Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;

19but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

19however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

20Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21It is written in the law: "By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me," says the Lord.

21In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.

22So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

22So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

23So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?

23Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;

25The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is really among you."

25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

26What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;

28But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

28but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

29Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.

29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

30And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.

30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.

31For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.

31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

32Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

33for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.

34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.

35If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

36Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?

36Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.

38If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

39Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

40And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

40But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

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