1Corinthians 14

1 Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:1

2 For the person who speaks in a foreign ^{a14:2 The Gk. lacks foreign; and so throughout 14:39} language is not actually speaking to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands him, because he is talking about secrets by the Spirit. ^{b14:2 Or with his spirit}ISV — 1Corinthians 14:2

3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:3

4 The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:4

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.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:5

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?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:6

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?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:7

8 For example, if a bugle doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:8

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!ISV — 1Corinthians 14:9

10 There are, I suppose, many different languages ^{c14:10 Or sounds} in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:10

11 If I don’t know the meaning of the language, ^{d14:11 Or sound} I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:11

12 In the same way, since you’re so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:12

13 Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:13

14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:14

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.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:15

16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person ^{e14:16 Lit. the person who occupies the place of the uneducated} say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you’re saying?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:16

17 It’s good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:17

18 I thank God that I speak in foreign languages more than all of you.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:18

19 But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:19

20 Brothers, stop being ^{f14:20 Or do not be} childish in your thinking. Be like infants with respect to evil, but think like adults.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:20

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,” ^{g14:21 Isa 28:11-12} declares the Lord.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:21

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.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:22

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?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:23

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. ^{h14:24 The Gk. lacks that’s happening}ISV — 1Corinthians 14:24

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!”ISV — 1Corinthians 14:25

26 What, then, does this mean, ^{i14:26 The Gk. lacks does this mean} brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, foreign language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:26

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.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:27

28 If an interpreter is not present, the speaker ^{j14:28 Lit. present, he} should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:28

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and others should weigh carefully what is said.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:29

30 If a revelation is made to another person who is seated, the first person should be silent.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:30

31 For everyone can prophesy in turn, so that everyone can be instructed and everyone can be encouraged.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:31

32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets,ISV — 1Corinthians 14:32

33 for God ^{k14:33 Lit. he} is not a God of disorder but of peace. As ^{l14:33-34 Or peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The} in all the churches of the saints,ISV — 1Corinthians 14:33

34 the women must keep silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak out, but must place themselves in submission, as the oral ^{m14:34 The Gk. lacks oral} law also says.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:34

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. ^{n14:35 Other mss. place vv. 34 and 35 after v. 40.}ISV — 1Corinthians 14:35

36 Did God’s word originate with you? Are you the only ones ^{o14:36 The Gk. is a pl. masc. pronoun} it has reached?ISV — 1Corinthians 14:36

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.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:37

38 But if anyone ignores this, he should be ignored. ^{p14:38 Other mss. read If he is ignorant of this, he should remain ignorant}ISV — 1Corinthians 14:38

39 Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:39

40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.ISV — 1Corinthians 14:40