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The Blue Letter Bible

1 Corinthians 14 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

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Prophecy a Superior Gift

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:1 -

Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may [fn]prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:2 - For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:3 - But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:4 - One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:5 - Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may [fn]be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:6 -

Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God’s mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:7 - Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:8 - And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:9 - So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:10 - There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:11

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:11 - But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will [appear to] be a [fn]foreigner to the one who is speaking [since he knows exactly what he is saying], and the one who is speaking will [appear to] be a foreigner to me.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:12

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:12 - So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:13

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:13 -

Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may [be gifted to] translate or explain [what he says].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:14

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:14 - For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:15

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:15 - Then what am I to do? I will pray with the [fn]spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:16

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:16 - Otherwise if you bless [and give thanks to God] in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted [in spiritual matters] say the “Amen” [of agreement] to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:17

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:17 - You are giving thanks well enough [in a way that God is glorified], but the other person [who does not understand you] is not edified [and spiritually strengthened since he cannot join in your thanksgiving].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:18

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:18 - I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:19

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:19 - nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].

Instruction for the Church

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:20

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:20 -

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:21

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:21 - It is written in the Law, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF FOREIGNERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND NOT EVEN THEN WILL THEY LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:22

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:22 - Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:23

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:23 - So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted [in spiritual matters] or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:24

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:24 - But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said];

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:25

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:25 - the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:26

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:26 -

What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:27

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:27 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:28

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:28 - But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:29

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:29 - Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:30

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:30 - But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:31

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:31 - For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged;

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:32

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:32 - for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking];

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:33

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:33 - for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:34

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:34 -

the [fn]women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:35

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:35 - If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a [fn]woman to talk in church.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:36

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:36 - Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:37

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:37 -

If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:38

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:38 - If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:39

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:39 -

Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Co 14:40

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 14:40 - But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.
See the AMP Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).
AMP Footnotes
In both the Old and the New Testaments, prophets are divinely inspired to foretell the future in the process of delivering God’s word to the people. Paul is saying to the Corinthians that all gifts are worthy and necessary (cf 12:11, 18, 29, 30), but that they should give the gift of prophecy the highest priority (cf Deut 18).
Lit receive edification.
Lit barbarian, i.e. one who did not speak Greek; especially a person from an uncivilized region whose speech could not be readily translated.
May refer to Paul’s spirit, the Holy Spirit, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When used elsewhere in the New Testament, in specific reference to a woman (cf Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Peter 3:1, 5), this word refers to a married woman, so these admonitions (vv 34, 35) may be directed primarily to the wives of believing husbands.
Paul does not comment on unmarried women; they probably have to abide by the prohibition against speaking out in church as well, and ask questions outside the service.
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The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved.

For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

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1 Corinthians Chapter 14 — Additional Translations:

King James Version New King James Version New Living Translation New International Version English Standard Version Christian Standard Bible New American Standard Bible 2020 New American Standard Bible 1995 Legacy Standard Bible New English Translation Revised Standard Version American Standard Version Young's Literal Translation Darby Translation Webster's Bible Hebrew Names Version Latin Vulgate Morphological Greek New Testament Textus Receptus Smith Van Dyck Arabic Bible Open New Arabic Version Reina Valera 1909 Reina-Valera 1960 Bible in Basic English Chinese Traditional Union Espanol Moderno Korean Holy Bible Louis Segond German Luther Russian Synodal Translation Sagradas Escrituras