1 Corinthians 14
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New International VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter 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, encouraging and comfort.3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5I 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 someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.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 and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?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?
7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?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?
8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?8For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just 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.
10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them 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 grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is 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.
12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
13For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.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 when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since they do 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?
17You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.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 would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others 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, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.20Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21In the Law it is written: "With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not 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.
22Tongues, then, 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 everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?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 an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment 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;
25as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "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 then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.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 anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, 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;
28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and 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 weigh carefully what is said.29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as 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 inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the 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.
36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?36Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
37If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing 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.
38But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.39Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.40But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
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1 Corinthians 13
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