1 Corinthians 14 — Intelligible speech and order in the gathering — Greek text and reception

Greek–English Translation

Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual things, especially that you may prophesy.

Greek–English Translation

For the one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to human beings but to God, for no one understands him; in spirit he speaks mysteries.

Greek–English Translation

But the one who prophesies speaks to human beings for building up, encouragement, and consolation.

Greek–English Translation

The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the Church.

Greek–English Translation

I want all of you to speak in tongues, but still more that you should prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the Church may receive building up.

Greek–English Translation

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Greek–English Translation

Even lifeless things that give a sound, whether a flute or a lyre—if they do not give a distinction between the notes, how will what is played on the flute or lyre be recognized?

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For if a trumpet gives an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?

Greek–English Translation

So also with you: unless you give an intelligible word through your tongue, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

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There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none is voiceless.

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Therefore, if I do not know the force of the voice, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner to me.

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So also with you: since you are zealous for spirits, seek to excel for the building up of the Church.

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Therefore let the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

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For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

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What, then, is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.

Greek–English Translation

Otherwise, if you bless in spirit, how will the one occupying the place of the uninitiated say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

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For you give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

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I thank God; I speak in tongues more than all of you.

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But in Church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so that I may instruct others too, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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Brothers, do not become children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but become mature in your thinking.

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In the law it is written, “Through people of other tongues and through the lips of others I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord.

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So tongues are a sign for unbelievers, not for believers, while prophecy is for believers, not for unbelievers.

Greek–English Translation

Therefore, if the whole Church gathers in the same place and everyone speaks in tongues, and uninitiated people or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

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But if everyone prophesies and an unbeliever or an uninitiated person enters, he is exposed by all, examined by all;

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the hidden things of his heart become manifest, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring, “God is truly among you.”

Greek–English Translation

What, then, is to be done, brothers? When you gather, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up.

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If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two or at most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

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But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in Church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

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Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern.

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But if something is revealed to another who is seated, let the first be silent.

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For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged

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(and prophets' spirits are subject to prophets,

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for God is not a God of disorder but of peace), as in all the Churches of the saints.

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Let the women be silent in the Churches, for they are not permitted to speak; instead, let them be subject, just as the law also says.

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If they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in Church.

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Or did God's word go out from you? Or has it reached you alone?

Greek–English Translation

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I write to you is the Lord's.

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But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

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Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Greek–English Translation

But let everything be done fittingly and in order.