New King James Version

New American Standard Bible

Prophecy and Tongues

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Prophecy a Superior Gift

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

2

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

3

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

3

But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

4

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

4

One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

5

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

5

Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

6

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

6

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

7

Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?

7

Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?

8

For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

8

For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

9

So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

9

So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

10

There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without [b]significance.

10

There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

11

Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [c]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

11

If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

12

Even so you, since you are [d]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [e]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

12

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

13

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

13

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

14

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

14

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

15

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

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What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

16

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

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Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

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For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

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For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

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I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

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I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;

19

yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

20

Instruction for the Church

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21

In the law it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.

21

In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

22

Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

22

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

23

Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are [f]out of your mind?

23

Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

24

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

24

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;

25

[g]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

25

the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26

Order in Church Meetings

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you 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 for [h]edification.

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What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27

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

27

If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;

28

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

28

but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

29

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

29

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

30

But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

30

But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.

31

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

31

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

32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

32

and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

33

For God is not the author of [i]confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

33

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34

Let [j]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

34

The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.

35

And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

35

If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

36

Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

36

Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

37

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

38

But [k]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

38

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

39

Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

39

Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

40

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Parallel

New King James Version

New American Standard Bible

1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14