1 Corinthians 14

1 Earnestly pursue [with diligence and passion] love [unconditional, selfless affection] and eagerly desire [with strong enthusiasm, be zealous for] spiritual [non-carnal, supernatural] gifts, especially [above all, more than any other] the gift [special ability, divine enablement] of prophecy [speaking under inspiration from God, foretelling]. word study 2 For he who speaks [in an unknown language, a tongue] in a tongue [a language] does not speak to men [human beings], but to God [the one true deity]. Indeed, no one [nobody] understands him; he utters [speaks] mysteries [secret truths] in the Spirit [the vital principle]. word study 3 But he who prophesies [speaks under inspiration from God, to prophesy] speaks to men [human beings, people] for their edification [spiritual growth, building up], encouragement [exhortation, comfort], and comfort [consolation, solace]. word study 4 The one who speaks [in an unknown language, with a tongue] in a tongue [a language] edifies [builds up, strengthens] himself [themself], but the one who prophesies [speaks under God’s inspiration, tells forth God’s message] edifies [constructs, builds up] the church [the assembly, the community of believers]. word study 5 I wish [desire, have a strong inclination] that all of you could speak in tongues [languages, supernatural utterances], but I would rather [prefer, consider more important] have you prophesy [speak under divine inspiration, foretell]. He who prophesies [speaks as a prophet, declares God’s message] is greater [more esteemed, superior] than one who speaks in tongues [uses a language gift], unless [except, if not] he interprets [explains, translates] so that the church [assembly, community of believers] may be edified [built up, strengthened]. word study 6 Now [at this present time], brothers [fellow believers], if I come to you speaking in tongues [languages], how will I benefit [help, profit] you, unless I bring you some revelation [disclosure of God’s truth] or knowledge [spiritual understanding] or prophecy [message from God] or teaching [instruction, guidance]? word study 7 Even in the case of lifeless [inanimate, without life] instruments, such as the flute [a musical pipe] or harp [a stringed instrument], how will anyone recognize [know, understand] the tune [melody, song] they are playing unless the notes [sounds, musical tones] are distinct [clear, different]? word study 8 Again, if the trumpet [a musical instrument used in war and worship] sounds [produces a voice or noise] a muffled [unclear, uncertain] call, who [which person, what individual] will prepare [get ready, make ready] for battle [war, conflict, a series of fights]? word study 9 So it is with you [in this same way, thus]. Unless you speak [utter, give] intelligible [easy to understand, clear] words [messages, ideas] with your tongue [language, speech], how [in what way, by what means] will anyone know [understand, recognize] what you are saying [speaking, declaring]? You will just be speaking [talking, uttering] into the air [to no one, without purpose]. word study 10 Assuredly, there are many [so great, various] different languages [kinds of voices, tongues] in the world [the earthly realm], yet none [not one, no kind] of them is without [lacking, devoid of] meaning [signification, sense, voice]. word study 11 If, then, I do not know [am unaware of, do not understand] the meaning [power, significance] of someone’s language [voice, tongue], I am a foreigner [barbarian, stranger] to the speaker, and he is a foreigner [barbarian, unknown] to me. word study 12 It is the same with you [in this manner, thus]. Since you are eager [zealous, desiring strongly] to have spiritual gifts [abilities given by the Spirit], strive [seek, endeavor] to excel [abound, exceed] in gifts that build up [edify, construct] the church [assembly, community of believers]. word study 13 Therefore [for this reason, because of this], the one who speaks [to utter words, to talk] in a tongue [a language, the organ of speech] should pray [to worship, to ask God] that he may interpret [to explain, to translate thoroughly]. word study 14 For if I pray [in a language I’ve not learned] in a tongue [a language, the organ of speech], my spirit [the vital principle, breath of life] prays, but my mind [intellect, understanding] is unfruitful [barren, without spiritual fruit]. word study 15 What then [at this point, in this situation] shall I do? I will pray [worship, communicate with God] with my spirit [the vital principle, breath of life], but I will also pray [with understanding, thinking clearly] with my mind [intellect, understanding]. I will sing [praise, play a stringed instrument] with my spirit [the inner person, spiritual nature], but I will also sing [with thoughtful expression, intentional praise] with my mind [thoughtful reflection, intentional worship]. word study 16 Otherwise, if you speak [praise or bless] a blessing [with heartfelt gratitude] in spirit [by the power of the Holy Spirit], how can someone who is [uneducated or untrained] uninstructed say “Amen [so be it, in agreement]” to your thanksgiving [expression of gratitude], since he does not know [understand or perceive] what you are saying? word study 17 You [indeed, verily] may be giving thanks [expressing gratitude, saying a great prayer] well [rightly, in a good manner] enough, but [on the other hand] the other [different, someone else] one is not [certainly not] edified [built up, helped, constructed spiritually]. word study 18 I thank [give praise to, express gratitude] God [the one true deity] that I speak [talk, utter words] in tongues [languages, special languages] more [rather, to a greater degree] than all [every one] of you. word study 19 But [in contrast, however] in the church [assembly, gathering of believers], I would rather speak five [a small, limited number] coherent [understandable, intelligible] words [messages, expressions] to instruct [teach, guide] others [those who are not yet informed] than ten thousand [a myriad, countless] words [messages, expressions] in a tongue [language, dialect]. word study 20 Brothers [fellow believers, brethren], stop thinking [do not be children in mind] like children [in understanding, in evil be as little children]. In regard to evil [malice, wickedness] be infants [babes, childlike], but in your thinking [mind, understanding] be mature [men, perfect, complete]. word study 21 It is written [recorded, inscribed] in the Law [the Mosaic law, God’s instruction]: “By strange [foreign, other] tongues [languages, dialects] and foreign [other, different] lips [speech, language] I will speak [communicate, utter] to this people [nation, group], but even then [in that way, thus] they will not listen [obey, heed] to Me [God, the Lord], says [declares, speaks] the Lord [God, the supreme ruler].” word study 22 Tongues [languages, a sign from God], then, are a sign [a token, an indication of God’s presence], not for believers [those who trust in God], but for unbelievers [those who do not have faith, the unbelieving]. Prophecy [speaking God’s message, interpreting His will], however, is for believers [those who have faith, the trusting], not for unbelievers [those who do not believe, the unfaithful]. word study 23 So if [in the event that, supposing] the whole church [assembly, community of believers] comes together [is assembled, gathered] and everyone speaks [talks, utters words] in tongues [languages, foreign dialects], and some who are [uneducated, lacking knowledge] uninstructed [unlearned, without spiritual understanding] or some unbelievers [those without faith, non-believers] come in [enter, join], will they not say [declare, utter] that you are [have become, seem to be] out of your minds [mad, insane, beside yourselves]? word study 24 But if an [unbelieving, without faith] unbeliever or [unlearned, uneducated, lacking spiritual knowledge] uninstructed person comes in [enters, joins] while everyone [all, every single one] is prophesying [speaking under God’s inspiration, declaring divine truth], he will be convicted [reproved, shown his fault] and [called to account, judged, examined] called to account by [under the scrutiny of, in the presence of] all, word study 25 and the secrets [hidden, concealed thoughts] of his heart [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] will be made known [revealed, disclosed]. So he will fall facedown [on his knees, in reverence] and worship [show respect, honor] God [the one true deity], proclaiming [declaring, announcing], “God [the Almighty, Supreme Being] is truly [really, indeed] among you [in your midst, present with you]!” word study 26 What then shall we say, brothers [fellow believers, siblings in Christ]? When you come together [assemble, convene], everyone has a psalm [sacred song, hymn] or a teaching [instruction, doctrine], a revelation [disclosure of truth, divine message], a tongue [language, dialect], or an interpretation [translation, explanation]. All of these must be done [accomplished, carried out] to build up [edify, strengthen] the church [body of believers, community of faith]. word study 27 If anyone [a person, an individual] speaks [to utter words, to talk] in a tongue [a language, an unknown dialect], two [a couple, a pair], or at most three [a small group, a few], should speak in turn [one at a time, in succession], and someone [one person, an interpreter] must interpret [to explain, to translate thoroughly]. word study 28 But if [there is uncertainty, in the event that] there is no [absent, lacking] interpreter [one who explains or translates], he should remain [keep, be] silent [quiet, still] in the church [assembly, gathering of believers] and speak [talk, utter words] only [exclusively] to himself [his own heart, mind] and [in communion with] God [the one true deity]. word study 29 Two [or a few, a limited number] or three prophets [who speak forth God’s will] should speak [utter words, proclaim messages], and the others [different ones] should weigh carefully [judge, discern] what is said [spoken, proclaimed]. word study 30 And if [under conditions of uncertainty, in a situation where] a revelation [a divine disclosure, an uncovering of hidden truth] comes to someone [another, a different person] who is seated [sitting, in a position of rest], the first [foremost, primary] speaker [one who is talking, proclaiming a message] should stop [be silent, hold his peace, cease speaking]. word study 31 For you can [all be able, have the power] all prophesy [speak under inspiration from God, tell forth His message] in turn [one by one, in order] so that everyone [all, every person] may be instructed [learn, understand, gain knowledge] and [also, additionally] encouraged [comforted, exhorted, strengthened]. word study 32 The spirits [the vital principle or mental disposition] of prophets [those who speak forth God’s will] are subject [to obey or put someone in charge] to prophets [who act as interpreters of God’s will, having God’s nature]. word study 33 For God [the one true deity, Creator of all] is not a God [the supreme ruler] of disorder [confusion, tumult, or chaos], but [in stark contrast] of peace [harmony, prosperity, or freedom from war]—as [in the same manner, or similar to] in all [every single one, without exception] the churches [assemblies, gatherings, or communities] of the saints [holy, set apart, or dedicated ones]. word study 34 Women [including wives, female believers] are to be silent [keep quiet, not speak] in the churches [assemblies, gatherings of believers]. They are not permitted [allowed, given permission] to speak [talk, utter words], but must be in submission [obedience, subjection], as the law [scripture, God’s command] says [teaches, commands]. word study 35 If they wish [desire to learn, want to know] to inquire [learn, understand] about something, they are to ask [question, seek information from] their own [private, personal] husbands at home [in their house, privately]; for it is [considered, deemed] dishonorable [shameful, a shame] for a woman [wife, female] to speak [talk, utter words] in the church [assembly, gathering of believers]. word study 36 Did the word [Logos, divine message] of God [the Supreme Deity] originate [come into being, have its source] with you? Or are you [alone, by yourselves] the only ones it has reached [come to, arrived at]? word study 37 If anyone [thinks to be] considers himself a prophet [one who speaks forth God’s message] or spiritual [having a non-carnal, supernatural nature] person, let him acknowledge [come to know, recognize] that what I am writing [recording, commanding] you is the Lord’s [God’s, the supreme authority] command [instruction, order]. word study 38 But if [in the event that, if anyone is unaware] anyone [a person, someone] ignores [is without knowledge of, disregards] this [the instruction, the command], he himself [the individual, the person in question] will be ignored [disregarded, not recognized, let him be ignorant]. word study 39 So [therefore, as a result], my brothers [fellow believers, brethren], be eager [desire earnestly, zealous] to prophesy [speak under inspiration from God, tell forth His message], and do not [lest, God forbid] forbid [prevent, stop] speaking [to utter words, talk] in tongues [languages, special languages, with other languages]. word study 40 But everything [all things, every matter] must be done [let all things be done] in a proper [decently, honestly] and orderly [by order, in order] manner [way, arrangement]. word study