Parallel Verses

Lexham Expanded Bible

Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.

New American Standard Bible

Now 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.

King James Version

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.

Holman Bible

I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

International Standard Version

Now I wish that all of you could speak in foreign languages, but especially that you could prophesy. The person who prophesies is more important than the person who speaks in a foreign language, unless he interprets it so that the church may be built up.

A Conservative Version

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more that ye may prophesy. For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the congregation may receive edification.

American Standard Version

Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Amplified

Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].

An Understandable Version

Now I would like all of you to speak in languages [supernaturally], but I would rather have you prophecy. For the person who prophesies is more important [i.e., to the church] than those who speak in languages [supernaturally], unless that person interprets [the languages], so the church can be built up [spiritually].

Anderson New Testament

I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction.

Bible in Basic English

Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word from you; for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.

Common New Testament

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless some one interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Daniel Mace New Testament

I wish you all had the gift of languages, but rather that you expounded: for greater is he that expounds, than he that speaks unknown languages, except he interpret what he says, that the church may be edified by it.

Darby Translation

Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

Godbey New Testament

But I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you may prophesy: but greater is the one prophesying, than the one speaking with tongues, unless he may interpret, in order that the church may receive edification.

Goodspeed New Testament

I want you all to speak ecstatically, but I especially want you to be inspired to preach. The man who is inspired to preach is more useful than the one who speaks ecstatically??nless he can explain what he says so that it may do the church some good.

John Wesley New Testament

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for he that prophesieth, is greater than he that speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

Julia Smith Translation

And I will ye all to speak with tongues, and rather that ye prophesy; for geater he prophesying, than he speaking with tongues, unless he interpret accurately, that the church receive building up.

King James 2000

I would that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Modern King James verseion

I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy; for greater is he prophesying than he speaking in tongues, unless he interpret so that the church may receive building up.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

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 expound it also, that the congregation may have edifying.

Moffatt New Testament

Now I would like you all to speak with 'tongues,' but I would prefer you to prophesy. The man who prophesies is higher than the man who speaks with 'tongues' ??unless indeed the latter interprets, so that the church may get edification.

Montgomery New Testament

Now I should like you all to speak with "tongues"; but I should rather that you prophesied, For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.

NET Bible

I 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.

New Heart English Bible

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy, and he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the church may be built up.

Noyes New Testament

I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

Sawyer New Testament

I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; and he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the assembly may receive edification.

The Emphasized Bible

Howbeit I wish you all to speak with tongues, but, rather, that ye may prophesy, - moreover, greater, is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, - unless indeed he translate, that, the assembly, may receive upbuilding.

Thomas Haweis New Testament

Now I could wish that you all spake with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret also, that the church may receive edification.

Twentieth Century New Testament

Now I want you all to speak in 'tongues,' but much more I wish that you should preach. A Preacher is of more account than he who speaks in 'tongues,' unless he interprets his words, so that the faith of the Church may be built up.

Webster

I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Weymouth New Testament

I should be right glad were you all to speak in 'tongues,' but yet more glad were you all to prophesy. And, in fact, the man who prophesies is superior to him who speaks in 'tongues,' except when the latter can interpret in order that the Church may get a blessing.

Williams New Testament

I would like for all of you to speak in ecstasy, but I would rather that you prophesy. The man who speaks with real prophetic insight renders greater service than the man who speaks in ecstasy, unless the latter explains it, so the congregation may receive an uplift.

World English Bible

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

Worrell New Testament

Now I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy; and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edifying.

Worsley New Testament

I could wish 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 edification.

Youngs Literal Translation

and I wish you all to speak with tongues, and more that ye may prophecy, for greater is he who is prophesying than he who is speaking with tongues, except one may interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
I would
θέλω ἐθέλω 
thelo 
will/would, will/would have, desire, desirous, list, to will,
Usage: 136

that ye
ὑμᾶς 
Humas 
you, ye, for your sakes Trans, not tr,
Usage: 314

all
πᾶς 
Pas 
Usage: 704

λαλέω 
Laleo 
Usage: 235

with tongues
γλῶσσα 
Glossa 
γλῶσσα 
Glossa 
Usage: 48
Usage: 48

but
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

μᾶλλον 
Mallon 
more, rather, the more, better ,
Usage: 66

ἵνα 
Hina 
ἵνα 
Hina 
that, to,
that, to,
Usage: 472
Usage: 472

προφητεύω 
Propheteuo 
Usage: 24

for
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

μείζων 
meizon 
Usage: 19

is he that

which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

προφητεύω 
Propheteuo 
Usage: 24

ἤ 
or, than, either, or else, nor, not tr,
Usage: 199

he that

which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

λαλέω 
Laleo 
Usage: 235

ἐκτός 
Ektos 
Usage: 8

διερμηνεύω 
Diermeneuo 
Usage: 6

the church
ἐκκλησία 
Ekklesia 
Usage: 93

λαμβάνω 
lambano 
receive, take, have, catch, not tr,
Usage: 178

Context Readings

Appropriate Use Of Prophecy And Tongues

4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. 6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching?


Cross References

1 Corinthians 12:10

to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.

Mark 16:17

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues,

1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ringing brass gong or a clashing cymbal.

Numbers 11:28-29

And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from time of his youth, answered, "Moses, my lord, stop them."

1 Corinthians 12:28-30

and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous, [it] does not boast, [it] does not become conceited,

1 Corinthians 14:1

Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:3-4

But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation.

1 Corinthians 14:12-13

In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.

1 Corinthians 14:18-40

I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you,

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain