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1 Corinthians 14 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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Prophecy a Superior Gift

14 (A)Pursue love, yet (B)desire earnestly (C)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (D)prophesy. 2 For one who (E)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one [a]understands, but [b]in his spirit he speaks (F)mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for (G)edification and (H)exhortation and consolation. 4 One who (I)speaks in a tongue (J)edifies himself; but one who (K)prophesies (L)edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all (M)spoke in tongues, but (N)even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who (O)speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive (P)edifying.

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of (Q)revelation or of (R)knowledge or of (S)prophecy or of (T)teaching? 7 Yet 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? 8 For if (U)the [c]bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be (V)speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of [d]languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a [e](W)barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a [f]barbarian [g]to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of [h]spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the (X)edification of the church.

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 (Y)What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will (Z)sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless [i]in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the [j]ungifted say (AA)the “Amen” at your (AB)giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not (AC)edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, 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.

Instruction for the Church

20 (AD)Brethren, (AE)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil (AF)be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In (AG)the Law it is written, “(AH)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. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but (AI)prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and [k]ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that (AJ)you are mad? 24 But if all (AK)prophesy, and an unbeliever or an [l]ungifted man enters, he is (AL)convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 (AM)the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will (AN)fall on his face and worship God, (AO)declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 (AP)What is the outcome then, (AQ)brethren? When you assemble, (AR)each one has a (AS)psalm, has a (AT)teaching, has a (AU)revelation, has a (AV)tongue, has an (AW)interpretation. Let (AX)all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a (AY)tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must (AZ)interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three (BA)prophets speak, and let the others (BB)pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of (BC)confusion but of [m]peace, as in (BD)all the churches of the (BE)saints.

34 The women are to (BF)keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but (BG)are to subject themselves, just as (BH)the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is [n]improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 [o]Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37 (BI)If anyone thinks he is a prophet or (BJ)spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you (BK)are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he [p]is not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brethren, (BL)desire earnestly to (BM)prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But (BN)all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Lit hears
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:8 Lit trumpet
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit voices
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or with the
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:16 I.e. unversed in spiritual gifts
  11. 1 Corinthians 14:23 V 16, note 2
  12. 1 Corinthians 14:24 V 16, note 2
  13. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or peace. As in all...saints, let
  14. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Or disgraceful
  15. 1 Corinthians 14:36 Lit Or was
  16. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Two early mss read is not to be recognized

Cross references

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : 1 Cor 16:14
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : 1 Cor 12:31; 14:39
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : 1 Cor 12:1
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : 1 Cor 13:2
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:2 : Mark 16:17; 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 30; 13:1; 14:18ff
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:2 : 1 Cor 13:2
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:3 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:5, 12, 17, 26
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:3 : Acts 4:36
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : Mark 16:17; 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 30; 13:1; 14:18ff, 26f
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:5, 12, 17, 26
  11. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : 1 Cor 13:2
  12. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:5, 12, 17, 26
  13. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : Mark 16:17; 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 30; 13:1; 14:18ff, 26f
  14. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : Num 11:29
  15. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : Mark 16:17; 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 30; 13:1; 14:18ff, 26f
  16. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:4, 12, 17, 26
  17. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : 1 Cor 14:26; Eph 1:17
  18. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : 1 Cor 12:8
  19. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : 1 Cor 13:2
  20. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : Acts 2:42; Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 14:26
  21. 1 Corinthians 14:8 : Num 10:9; Jer 4:19; Ezek 33:3-6; Joel 2:1
  22. 1 Corinthians 14:9 : 1 Cor 9:26
  23. 1 Corinthians 14:11 : Acts 28:2
  24. 1 Corinthians 14:12 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:4, 5, 17, 26
  25. 1 Corinthians 14:15 : Acts 21:22; 1 Cor 14:26
  26. 1 Corinthians 14:15 : Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
  27. 1 Corinthians 14:16 : Deut 27:15-26; 1 Chr 16:36; Neh 5:13; 8:6; Ps 106:48; Jer 11:5; 28:6; Rev 5:14; 7:12
  28. 1 Corinthians 14:16 : Matt 15:36
  29. 1 Corinthians 14:17 : Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:4, 5, 12, 26
  30. 1 Corinthians 14:20 : Rom 1:13
  31. 1 Corinthians 14:20 : Eph 4:14; Heb 5:12f
  32. 1 Corinthians 14:20 : Ps 131:2; Matt 18:3; Rom 16:19; 1 Pet 2:2
  33. 1 Corinthians 14:21 : John 10:34; 1 Cor 14:34
  34. 1 Corinthians 14:21 : Is 28:11f
  35. 1 Corinthians 14:22 : 1 Cor 14:1
  36. 1 Corinthians 14:23 : Acts 2:13
  37. 1 Corinthians 14:24 : 1 Cor 14:1
  38. 1 Corinthians 14:24 : John 16:8
  39. 1 Corinthians 14:25 : John 4:19
  40. 1 Corinthians 14:25 : Luke 17:16
  41. 1 Corinthians 14:25 : Is 45:14; Dan 2:47; Zech 8:23; Acts 4:13
  42. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 14:15
  43. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : Rom 1:13
  44. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 12:8-10
  45. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : Eph 5:19
  46. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 14:6
  47. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 14:6
  48. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 14:2
  49. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : 1 Cor 12:10; 14:5, 13, 27f
  50. 1 Corinthians 14:26 : Rom 14:19
  51. 1 Corinthians 14:27 : 1 Cor 14:2
  52. 1 Corinthians 14:27 : 1 Cor 12:10; 14:5, 13, 26ff
  53. 1 Corinthians 14:29 : 1 Cor 13:2; 14:32, 37
  54. 1 Corinthians 14:29 : 1 Cor 12:10
  55. 1 Corinthians 14:33 : 1 Cor 14:40
  56. 1 Corinthians 14:33 : 1 Cor 4:17; 7:17
  57. 1 Corinthians 14:33 : Acts 9:13
  58. 1 Corinthians 14:34 : 1 Cor 11:5, 13
  59. 1 Corinthians 14:34 : 1 Tim 2:11f; 1 Pet 3:1
  60. 1 Corinthians 14:34 : 1 Cor 14:21
  61. 1 Corinthians 14:37 : 2 Cor 10:7
  62. 1 Corinthians 14:37 : 1 Cor 2:15
  63. 1 Corinthians 14:37 : 1 John 4:6
  64. 1 Corinthians 14:39 : 1 Cor 12:31
  65. 1 Corinthians 14:39 : 1 Cor 13:2; 14:1
  66. 1 Corinthians 14:40 : 1 Cor 14:33

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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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