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1 Corinthians 14 - Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)

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14 1 Be pursuing[a] love.

Be Zealous For Spiritual Gifts, But Especially To Prophesy And Edify The Church

Now be zealous-for the spiritual gifts, but even-more[b] that you might be prophesying. 2 For the one speaking in a tongue is not speaking[c] to people, but to God— for no one hears[d], but he speaks mysteries[e] with his spirit[f]. 3 But the one prophesying is speaking edification and exhortation and consolation[g] to people. 4 The one speaking in a tongue is edifying himself [h], but the one prophesying is edifying the church. 5 And I wish[i] that you all were speaking in tongues, but even-more[j] that you might be prophesying. But[k] the one prophesying is greater[l] than one speaking in tongues— unless[m] he interprets in order that the church may receive edification.

Speaking In Tongues Is Just Speaking Into The Air Unless It Is Understood

6 But now[n], brothers, if I come to you speaking[o] in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either[p] by[q] a revelation or by knowledge or by a prophecy or by a teaching? 7 Likewise the lifeless things giving a sound— whether a flute or harp— if it does not give a distinction in the tones, how will the thing being fluted or the thing being harped be known? 8 For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you with the tongue— if you do not give a clear word, how will the thing being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air! 10 There are perhaps so-many kinds of spoken sounds[r] in the world, and none is meaningless. 11 If then I do not know the force of the spoken sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking a barbarian with me. 12 So also[s] you— since you are zealots[t] for spiritual gifts, be seeking that you may abound for the edification of the church.

So In Church, Tongues Must Be Interpreted If The Hearers Are To Be Edified

13 Therefore let the one speaking in a tongue pray in order that he might interpret. 14 For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit[u] is praying, but my mind[v] is unfruitful[w]. 15 What then[x] is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, and[y] I will also pray with the mind. I will sing-praise with the spirit, and I will also sing-praise with the mind. 16 Otherwise, if you are blessing[z] with your spirit[aa] [only], how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed[ab] say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving-thanks well[ac]— but the other person is not being edified. 18 I give-thanks to God I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in church[ad], I want to speak five words with my mind in order that I might also instruct others, rather than ten-thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues Are a Sign For Unbelievers; Prophecy Is For Believers

20 Brothers, do not be children in your understanding. But be childlike in evilness, and be mature in your understanding. 21 It has been written in the Law [in Isa 28:11-12] that “I will speak to this people by people of other-tongues, and by the lips of others. And not even in this manner will they listen-to Me, says the Lord”. 22 So then the tongues are for a sign[ae]— not for the ones believing, but for the unbelievers. But the prophecy is not for the unbelievers, but for the ones believing.

So In Church, Tongues Not Understood Breed Confusion. Prophecy Edifies

23 Therefore, if the whole church comes-together at the same place, and they all speak in tongues[af], and uninstructed ones or unbelievers come-in, will they not say that you are mad[ag]? 24 But if they all prophesy[ah], and some unbeliever or an uninstructed one comes in, he is convicted[ai] by all. He is examined by all. 25 The hidden things of his heart become evident[aj]. And thus, having fallen on his face, he will give-worship to God, declaring that God is really among you.

Brothers, Organize Your Church Service For Edification

26 What then[ak] is to be done, brothers? Whenever you come-together, each[al] one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be done by two or at the most three, and in turn, and let one[am] person interpret. 28 But if [an] there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church. And let him speak to himself [ao] and to God. 29 And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others[ap] discern[aq]. 30 But if a prophecy is revealed to another being seated, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy individually[ar], in order that all may learn, and all may be exhorted[as]. 32 And the spirits[at] of prophets are subject[au] to prophets. 33 For God is not the God of disorder[av], but of peace.

This Also Includes Women Being Quiet During The Church Service

As[aw] in all the churches[ax] of the saints, 34 let the women be silent[ay] in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak[az]. But let them be subject, just as the Law also says[ba]. 35 And if they want to learn anything, let them question their own husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

These Instructions Are The Lord’s Commandments

36 Or did the word of God go-forth from you? Or did it reach to you only? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, let him acknowledge the things which I am writing to you— that they are a commandment of the Lord. 38 But if anyone does not-know this, he is not-known[bb].

Summary

39 So then, my brothers, be zealous-for the prophesying. And do not be forbidding[bc] the speaking in tongues. 40 But let all things be done properly, and in accordance with order.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Or, running after, seeking after.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Or, rather.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, addressing himself to.
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, hears with understanding.
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, things not knowable by humans apart from a revelation by God.
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or, by the Spirit; or, with his spiritual gift (as in v 12).
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:3 Or, comfort, encouragement.
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:4 That is, because God is speaking through him, not because he understands.
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:5 That is, wish in theory (as this word is used in 7:7), since neither is possible, 12:11, 18, 30; or, wish it to truly happen.
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or, rather. Same phrase as in v 1.
  11. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or, And, Now.
  12. 1 Corinthians 14:5 That is, in ability to edify the church.
  13. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Lit, except unless. That is, with this exception, unless. The interpretation is equivalent to prophecy in edification value.
  14. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, But as-it-is.
  15. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, as a tongues-speaker; or, as actually addressing you.
  16. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, by one of these other gifts; or, by an interpretation of my tongues so as to yield one of these benefits.
  17. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, with, in.
  18. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or, voices, and thus, languages.
  19. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Paul applies v 6-11 to them in a positive way.
  20. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Or, zealous.
  21. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, my spiritual gift, as in v 12.
  22. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, understanding, intellect.
  23. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, barren, unproductive, fruitless. My mind produces nothing for edification.
  24. 1 Corinthians 14:15 That is, what is the tongues-speaker personally to do? Compare v 26.
  25. 1 Corinthians 14:15 Or, but. That is, with one privately and the other publicly; or, with tongues in church and then with the interpretation to edify others; or, with both in church at the same time (meaning, in my native language).
  26. 1 Corinthians 14:16 This is equivalent to praying [a blessing] in a tongue, v 14.
  27. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or, spiritual gift, as in v 12.
  28. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or, untrained, uninformed.
  29. 1 Corinthians 14:17 Or, commendably.
  30. 1 Corinthians 14:19 This implies Paul either spoke in tongues to unbelievers, in accordance with v 22, or privately.
  31. 1 Corinthians 14:22 That is, a sign of God’s presence in the one speaking to the unbelievers, as seen in Acts 2; or more specifically, a sign of God’s judgment on Israel, as in Isaiah 28.
  32. 1 Corinthians 14:23 That is, without interpretation.
  33. 1 Corinthians 14:23 Or, raving, out of your mind. In this case, none are edified.
  34. 1 Corinthians 14:24 In this case, all are edified, even any unbeliever present.
  35. 1 Corinthians 14:24 Or, exposed, rebuked.
  36. 1 Corinthians 14:25 Or, known.
  37. 1 Corinthians 14:26 That is, what is the church to do?
  38. 1 Corinthians 14:26 That is, each has what God gives them, these being examples.
  39. 1 Corinthians 14:27 That is, one for all three; or, one for each.
  40. 1 Corinthians 14:28 This means the speaker must know in advance that the tongue will be interpreted.
  41. 1 Corinthians 14:28 That is, silently; or, privately, somewhere else.
  42. 1 Corinthians 14:29 That is, other prophets or gifted individuals.
  43. 1 Corinthians 14:29 That is, discern whether God is the source.
  44. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or, one by one.
  45. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or, encouraged.
  46. 1 Corinthians 14:32 That is, human spirits; or, spiritual gifts, as in v 12.
  47. 1 Corinthians 14:32 The prophets and tongue-speakers (as seen in v 28) are not in a state of uncontrollable ecstasy, possessed by the gods, as in the Corinthians’ former pagan religions.
  48. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, unruliness, commotions.
  49. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, peace, as in all... saints. Let the.
  50. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, churches, let the wives of the saints.
  51. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Some think women prayed and prophesied in the church, subordinating this verse to 11:4-5. Aside from such participation led by the Spirit, they are to remain quiet. General talking and asking questions is in view. Others think women prayed and prophesied elsewhere, subordinating 11:4-5 to this verse, meaning Paul is forbidding all speaking in church by women.
  52. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or, talk. That is, speak out of order, as with the prophets and tongue-speakers; or, speak at all.
  53. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Compare 11:8-9; 1 Tim 2:13-14.
  54. 1 Corinthians 14:38 That is, as a prophet or spiritual person. Or, not-recognize... not-recognized.
  55. 1 Corinthians 14:39 Or, preventing, hindering, restraining.

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1 Corinthians 14 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

14 Pursue the love, and seek earnestly the spiritual things, and rather that ye may prophecy, 2 for he who is speaking in an [unknown] tongue -- to men he doth not speak, but to God, for no one doth hearken, and in spirit he doth speak secrets; 3 and he who is prophesying to men doth speak edificati...
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1 Corinthians 14 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

14 Follow ye charity, love ye spiritual things, but more that ye prophesy. 2 And he that speaketh in tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no man heareth. But the Spirit speaketh mysteries. 3 For he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and admonishing, and comforting. 4 He tha...
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1 Corinthians 14 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

14 Love is the thing you should want more than anything else. But you should also want other things the Spirit gives. You should want very much to be able to speak words from God. 2 The person who talks in tongues of a different language does not talk to people, but to God. People do not understand ...
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1 Corinthians 14 - World English Bible (WEB)

14 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhort...
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1 Corinthians 14 - The Voice (VOICE)

14 So in everything strive to love. Passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 You see, a person speaking in an unknown language is not addressing the church because he is really addressing God—those who overhear don’t understand because he is speaking in the Spir...
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1 Corinthians 14 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Orderly Governing of the Gifts14 Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to people but to God—for no one understands, but in the Ruach he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to people for buildi...
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1 Corinthians 14 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues14 Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, he who prophesies s...
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1 Corinthians 14 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual things, more so that you may prophesy. 2 For the one who speaks in a tongue, speaks not to man, but to God. For no one hears. But in the spirit he speaks secret things. 3 But the one who prophesies, speaks to man for edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 T...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Priorities in Worship14 Pursue love; and long for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 Someone who speaks in a tongue, you see, isn’t speaking to human beings but to God. Nobody can understand such speakers, because they speak mysteries in the spirit. 3 But the one who prophesi...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues14 Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts and especially that you may prophesy.(A)2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God, for no one understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit.(B)3 But those who prophesy s...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Paul shows that the gift of prophecy (that is, of interpreting or preaching) excels the gift of languages, and how they both ought to be used. 14 Labour for love, and covet spiritual gifts, and most chiefly to prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to people, but to God, for ...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Tongues and Prophecy14 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New Life Version (NLV)

Speaking in Special Sounds Is Not the Greatest Gift14 You should want to have this love. You should want the gifts of the Holy Spirit and most of all to be able to speak God’s Word. 2 The man who speaks in special sounds speaks to God. He is not speaking to men. No one understands. He is speaking s...
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1 Corinthians 14 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Prophecy and Tongues14 Pursue love, and (A)desire spiritual gifts, (B)but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who (C)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks (D)edification and...
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