1 Corinthians 14
The New Consensus Bible is an AI-generated contemporary rendering, built from seven public-domain translations and the 20-tradition consensus. See all the work behind this chapter.
1Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not to humans but to God; for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But the one prophesying speaks to humans for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one prophesying edifies the assembly. 5Now I desire all of you to speak in tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. Greater is the one prophesying than the one speaking in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the assembly may receive edification. 6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either in a revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching? 7Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether a pipe or a harp, if they do not give a distinction in the tones, how will that which is piped or that which is harped be known? 8For if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you give a clear word through the tongue, how will that which is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is voiceless. 11If therefore I do not know the power of the voice, I will be to the speaker a barbarian, and the speaker a barbarian to me. 12So also you, since you are zealots for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound for the edification of the assembly. 13Therefore let the one speaking in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray also with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing also with the mind. 16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank my God, I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19yet in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brothers, do not be children in your minds, but in malice be infants, and in your minds be mature. 21In the law it is written: "By people of other tongues and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even then will they hear me, says the Lord." 22Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; whereas prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23If therefore the whole assembly comes together into one place, and all speak in tongues, and unlearned persons or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or unlearned person enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, 25the secrets of his heart become manifest; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you. 26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern. 30But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, 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 disorder, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints, 34let your women be silent in the assemblies; for it is not permitted for them to speak, but let them be subject, as the law also says. 35But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly. 36Or did the word of God go out from you? Or did it come to you only? 37If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are a commandment of the Lord. 38But if anyone is ignorant, he is ignored. 39Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But let all things be done decently and in order.
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