1 Corinthians 14:4-39
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 14
4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.
6But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?
7Yet even lifeless instruments, whether 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?
8For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air.
10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning.
11So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me.
12So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.
15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also.
16For otherwise, if you bless God in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the outsider know to say the 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying?
17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
19nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21In the Law it is written: '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.
22So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.
23Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
26What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?
King James Version
Chapter 14
4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5I 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.
6Now, 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?
7And 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?
8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9So 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.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11Therefore 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.
12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What 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.
16Else 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?
17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19Yet 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.
20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21In 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.
22Wherefore 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.
23If 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?
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25And 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.
26How 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.
27If 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.
28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34Let 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.
35And 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.
36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 14
4The person who speaks in another tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5I wish all of you spoke in other tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.
6So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp —if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized?
8In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?
9In 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.
10There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning.
11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
12So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.
13Therefore the person who speaks in another tongue should pray that he can interpret.
14For if I pray in another tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding.
16Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
17For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.
18I thank God that I speak in other tongues more than all of you;
19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in another tongue.
21It is written in the law, I will speak to this people by people of other tongues and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
22Speaking in other tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in other tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all.
25The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, "God is really among you."
26What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, another tongue, or an interpretation. Everything is to be done for building up.
27If anyone speaks in another tongue, there are to be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.
30But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.
32And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets,
33since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but are to submit themselves, as the law also says.
35If they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, since it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36Or did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?
New Living Translation
6Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.
7Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.
8And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?
10There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.
11But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.
12And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
13So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.
14For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
15Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
16For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?
17You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.
19But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
22So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
23Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.
24But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.
25As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, 'God is truly here among you.'
27No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.
28But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
29Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.
30But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.
31In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.
32Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
34Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.
35If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.
36Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?
37If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.
38But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.
English Standard Version
Chapter 14
4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?
8And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
9So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,
11but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
12So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
16Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
17For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
21In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."
22Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
25the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
30If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
35If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
38If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
New International Version
Chapter 14
4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
16Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
17You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
25as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
26What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
New King James Version
Chapter 14
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
7Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
9So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
17For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
22Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
23Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
35And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
