1 Corinthians 14 Parallel Bible

swipe to see more →

	NLT New Living Translation	ESV English Standard Version	NIV New International Version
1	Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.	Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.	Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
2	For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.	For 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.	For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
3	But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.	On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.	But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
4	A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.	The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.	Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5	I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.	Now 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.	I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6	Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.	Now, 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?	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?
7	Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.	If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?	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?
8	And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?	And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?	Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9	It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.	So 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.	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.
10	There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.	There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,	Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11	But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.	but 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.	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.
12	And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.	So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.	So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13	So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.	Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.	For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
14	For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.	For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.	For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15	Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.	What 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.	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.
16	For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?	Otherwise, 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?	Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
17	You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.	For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.	You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18	I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.	I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.	I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19	But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.	Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.	But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20	Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.	Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.	Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21	It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD.	In 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.”	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.”
22	So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.	Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.	Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23	Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.	If, 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?	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?
24	But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.	But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,	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,
25	As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”	the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.	as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
26	Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.	What 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.	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.
27	No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.	If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.	If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28	But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.	But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.	If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29	Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.	Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.	Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30	But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.	If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.	And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31	In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.	For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,	For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32	Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.	and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.	The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33	For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.	For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,	For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34	Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.	the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.	Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35	If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.	If 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.	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.
36	Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?	Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?	Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
37	If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.	If 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.	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.
38	But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.	If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.	But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
39	So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.	So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.	Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40	But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.	But all things should be done decently and in order.	But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
	Read New Living Translation Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.	Read English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.	Read New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

1 Corinthians 14 Parallel Bible Translations