1 Corinthians 14
ESV Parallel BSB [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT GRK]
English Standard VersionBerean Study Bible
1Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?
8And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.9So 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.
10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
16Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
17For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”
22Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
25the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
34the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
36Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
38If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40But all things should be done decently and in order.40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
1 Corinthians 13
Top of Page
Top of Page