Appropriate Use Of Prophecy And Tongues

1 Go after love; still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.

1 (A)Pursue love, yet (B)desire earnestly (C)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (D)prophesy.

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.

1 Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.

2 For he who makes use of tongues is not talking to men but to God; because no one has the sense of what he is saying; but in the Spirit he is talking of secret things.

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.

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

2 For the person who speaks in another language(A) is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.(a)

2 For the person who speaks in a foreign language is not actually speaking to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands him, because he is talking about secrets by the Spirit.

3 But the word of the prophet gives men knowledge and comfort and strength.

3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for (G)edification and (H)exhortation and consolation.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation.

3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort.

4 He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.

4 One who (I)speaks in a tongue (J)edifies himself; but one who (K)prophesies (L)edifies the church.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

4 The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church.

4 The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church.

5 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.

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.

5 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.

5 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.

5 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.

6 But, now, my brothers, if I come to you using tongues, what profit will it be to you, if I do not give you a revelation, or knowledge, or the word of the prophet, or teaching?

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?

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation(B) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

6 Indeed, brothers, if I come to you speaking in foreign languages, what good will I be to you unless I speak to you in some revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching?

7 Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played?

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?

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

7 Even inanimate things that produce sounds—whether flute or harp(C)—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized?

7 In the same way, lifeless instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. But if there's no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played?

8 For if the war-horn gives out an uncertain note, who will get ready for the fight?

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

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

8 In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?(D)

8 For example, if a bugle doesn't sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

9 So if you, in using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying? for you will be talking to the air.

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.

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

9 In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

9 In the same way, unless you speak an intelligible message with your language, how will anyone know what is being said? You'll be talking into the air!

10 There are, it may be, a number of different voices in the world, and no voice is without sense.

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

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.(b)

10 There are, I suppose, many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

11 But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me.

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.

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner(c) to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

11 If I don't know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

12 So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.

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

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

12 So also you—since you are zealous(E) for spiritual gifts,(d)(F) seek to excel in building up the church.

12 In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.

13 For this reason, let the man who has the power of using tongues make request that he may, at the same time, be able to give the sense.

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

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

13 Therefore the person who speaks in another language should pray that he can interpret.

13 Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it.

14 For if I make use of tongues in my prayers, my spirit makes the prayer, but not my mind.

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

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit(G) prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.(H)

14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive.

15 What then? let my prayer be from the spirit, and equally from the mind; let my song be from the spirit, and equally from mind.

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.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding.

15 What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind.

16 For if you give a blessing with the spirit, how will the man who has no knowledge say, So be it, after your prayer, seeing that he has not taken in what you are saying?

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?

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit,(e) how will the uninformed person(f) say “Amen”(I) at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you're saying?

17 For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge.

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

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.

17 It's good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person.

18 I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all:

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

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

18 I thank(J) God that I speak in other languages more than all of you;

18 I thank God that I speak in foreign languages more than all of you.

19 But in the church it would be better for me to make use of five words of which the sense was clear, so that others might have profit, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.

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.

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words(K) with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in another language.

19 But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.

20 My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

20 (AD)Brethren, (AE)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil (AF)be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

20 Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.(L)

20 Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. Be like infants with respect to evil, but think like adults.

21 In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people; and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord.

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.

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

21 It is written in the law:I will speak to these peopleby people of other languagesand by the lips of foreigners,and even then, they will not listen to Me,(M)(g)says the Lord.

21 In the Law it is written, "By means of foreign languages and through the mouths of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," declares the Lord.

22 For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not: but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not.

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.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

22 It follows that speaking in other languages is intended as a sign,(h) not for believers but for unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 Foreign languages, then, are meant to be a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers, while prophecy is meant, not for unbelievers, but for believers.

23 If, then, the church has come together, and all are using tongues, and there come in men without knowledge or faith, will they not say that you are unbalanced?

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?

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

23 Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in other languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

23 Now if the whole church gathers in the same place and everyone is speaking in foreign languages, when uneducated people or unbelievers come in, they will say that you are out of your mind, won't they?

24 But if all are teaching as prophets, and a man without faith or knowledge comes in, he is tested by all, he is judged by all;

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;

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all.

24 But if everyone is prophesying, when an unbeliever or an uneducated person comes in he will be convicted and examined by everything that's happening.

25 The secrets of his heart are made clear; and he will go down on his face and give worship to God, saying that God is truly among you.

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.

25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”(N)

25 His secret, inner heart will become known, and so he will bow down to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is truly among you!"

Specific Instructions For Orderly Worship Services

26 What is it then, my brothers? when you come together everyone has a holy song, or a revelation, or a tongue, or is giving the sense of it. Let everything be done for the common good.

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.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

26 What then is the conclusion, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one(i) has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation.(O) All things must be done for edification.

26 What, then, does this mean, brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, foreign language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding.

27 If any man makes use of a tongue, let it not be more than two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let someone give the sense:

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;

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

27 If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret.

27 If anyone speaks in a foreign language, only two or three at the most should do so, one at a time, and somebody must interpret.

28 But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church; and let his words be to himself and to God.

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

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

28 But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

28 If an interpreter is not present, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God.

29 And let the prophets give their words, but not more than two or three, and let the others be judges of what they say.

29 Let two or three (BA)prophets speak, and let the others (BB)pass judgment.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.(P)

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and others should weigh carefully what is said.

30 But if a revelation is given to another who is seated near, let the first be quiet.

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

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

30 But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.

30 If a revelation is made to another person who is seated, the first person should be silent.

31 For you may all be prophets in turn so that all may get knowledge and comfort;

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

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.(Q)

31 For everyone can prophesy in turn, so that everyone can be instructed and everyone can be encouraged.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are controlled by the prophets;

32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

32 And the prophets’ spirits are under the control of the prophets,

32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets,

33 For God is not a God whose ways are without order, but a God of peace; as in all the churches of the saints.

33 for God is not a God of (BC)confusion but of (m)peace, as in (BD)all the churches of the (BE)saints.

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

33 since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.As in all the churches of the saints,(R)

33 for God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

34 Let women keep quiet in the churches: for it is not right for them to be talking; but let them be under control, as it says in the law.

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.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

34 the women(j) should be silent in the churches,(S) for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says.

34 As in all the churches of the saints, the women must keep silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak out, but must place themselves in submission, as the oral law also says.

35 And if they have a desire for knowledge about anything, let them put questions to their husbands privately: for talking in the church puts shame on a woman.

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.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

35 And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands(T) at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting.

35 If they want to learn anything, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is inappropriate for a woman to speak out in church.

36 What? was it from you that the word of God went out? or did it only come in to you?

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

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

36 Did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?

36 Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?

37 If any man seems to himself to be a prophet or to have the Spirit, let him take note of the things which I am writing to you, as being the word of the Lord.

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.

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

38 But if any man is without knowledge, let him be so.

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

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

38 But if anyone ignores this, he will be ignored.(k)

38 But if anyone ignores this, he should be ignored.

39 So then, my brothers, let it be your chief desire to be prophets; but let no one be stopped from using tongues.

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

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager(U) to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages.

39 Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages.

40 Let all things be done in the right and ordered way.

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

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

40 But everything must be done decently(V) and in order.

40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.

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

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