New International Version

Darby Bible Translation

Intelligibility in Worship

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Prophecy and Tongues

Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual [manifestations], but rather that ye may prophesy.

For anyone who speaks in a tonguea does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

2

For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

3

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

3

But he that prophesies speaks to men [in] edification, and encouragement, and consolation.

4

Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

4

He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies [the] assembly.

5

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,b but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,c unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

5

Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

6

Now, 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?

6

And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

7

Even 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?

7

Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

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Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

8

For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war?

9

So 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.

9

Thus also *ye* with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air.

10

Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

10

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

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If 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.

11

If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me.

12

So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

12

Thus *ye* also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.

13

For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.

13

Wherefore let him that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14

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

14

For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15

So 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.

15

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing also with the understanding.

16

Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,d say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?

16

Since otherwise, if thou blessest with [the] spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple [Christian] say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest?

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You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

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For *thou* indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

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

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I thank God I speak in a tongue more than all of you:

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But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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but in [the] assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, [rather] than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

20

Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men].

21

In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”e

21

It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

22

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

22

So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.

23

So 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?

23

If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple [persons] enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad?

24

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,

24

But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple [person] come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all;

25

as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

25

the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon [his] face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you.

26

Good Order in Worship

What 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.

26

Orderly Worship

What is it then, brethren? whenever ye 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 to edification.

27

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two — or at the most three — should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.

27

If any one speak with a tongue, [let it be] two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret;

28

If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

28

but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in [the] assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

29

And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

30

And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

30

But if there be a revelation to another sitting [there], let the first be silent.

31

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

31

For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.

32

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

32

And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace — as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

33

For God is not [a God] of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

34

Womenf should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

34

Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says.

35

If 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.g

35

But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly.

36

Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

36

Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only?

37

If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

37

If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment.

38

But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.h

38

But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

39

So that, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid the speaking with tongues.

40

But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

40

But let all things be done comelily and with order.

Parallel

New International Version

Darby Bible Translation

1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14