Appropriate Use Of Prophecy And Tongues
1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 (A)Pursue love, yet (B)desire earnestly (C)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (D)prophesy.
1 Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.
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 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 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 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.
2 For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].
3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, 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 their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort.
3 But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].
4 The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
4 One who (I)speaks in a tongue (J)edifies himself; but one who (K)prophesies (L)edifies the church.
4 The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].
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 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 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 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.
5 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 (b)be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].
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 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, 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 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?
6 Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God’s mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]?
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 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 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 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?
7 Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played?
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 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 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 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!
9 So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of (d)languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.
10 There are, I suppose, many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
10 There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.
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 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 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 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 also you—since you are zealous(E) for spiritual gifts,(d)(F) seek to excel in building up 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 of (h)spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the (X)edification of 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.
12 So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].
13 Therefore the person who speaks in another language should pray that he can interpret.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
13 Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it.
13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may [be gifted to] translate or explain [what he says].
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].
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 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 (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 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 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 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 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 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 you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
17 It's good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person.
17 You are giving thanks well enough [in a way that God is glorified], but the other person [who does not understand you] is not edified [and spiritually strengthened since he cannot join in your thanksgiving].
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 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 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 But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.
19 nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].
20 Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.(L)
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
20 (AD)Brethren, (AE)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil (AF)be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
20 Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. Be like infants with respect to evil, but think like adults.
20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].
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, 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 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, "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 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 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 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 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.
22 Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.
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 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 speak in tongues, and (k)ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that (AJ)you are mad?
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?
23 So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted [in spiritual matters] or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
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 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 (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 everyone is prophesying, when an unbeliever or an uneducated person comes in he will be convicted and examined by everything that's happening.
24 But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said];
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 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 (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 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!"
25 the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.
Specific Instructions For Orderly Worship Services
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 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 (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 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.
26 What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.
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 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 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 anyone speaks in a foreign language, only two or three at the most should do so, one at a time, and somebody must interpret.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].
28 But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and 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, he must keep silent in the church; and let him 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.
28 But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.
30 But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
30 If a revelation is made to another person who is seated, the first person should be silent.
30 But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.(Q)
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 all may learn and all may be exhorted;
31 For everyone can prophesy in turn, so that everyone can be instructed and everyone can be encouraged.
31 For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged;
32 And the prophets’ spirits are under the control of the prophets,
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets,
32 for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking];
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all 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 a God of disorder but of peace.
33 for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
36 Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?
36 Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?
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 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 (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 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.
37 If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
39 Therefore, my brethren, (BL)desire earnestly to (BM)prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
39 Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages.
39 Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.