1 Corinthians 14 :: New English Translation (NET)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

1Co 14:1Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1Co 14:2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

1Co 14:3

1Co 14:3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

1Co 14:4

1Co 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

1Co 14:5

1Co 14:5I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

1Co 14:6

1Co 14:6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

1Co 14:7

1Co 14:7It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

1Co 14:8

1Co 14:8If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?

1Co 14:9

1Co 14:9It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

1Co 14:10

1Co 14:10There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

1Co 14:11

1Co 14:11If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

1Co 14:12

1Co 14:12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

1Co 14:13

1Co 14:13So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

1Co 14:14

1Co 14:14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

1Co 14:15

1Co 14:15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

1Co 14:16

1Co 14:16Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

1Co 14:17

1Co 14:17For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

1Co 14:18

1Co 14:18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

1Co 14:19

1Co 14:19but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

1Co 14:20

1Co 14:20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

1Co 14:21

1Co 14:21It is written in the law: "By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me," says the Lord.

1Co 14:22

1Co 14:22So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

1Co 14:23

1Co 14:23So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?

1Co 14:24

1Co 14:24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

1Co 14:25

1Co 14:25The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is really among you."

1Co 14:26

1Co 14:26What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

1Co 14:27

1Co 14:27If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.

1Co 14:28

1Co 14:28But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

1Co 14:29

1Co 14:29Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.

1Co 14:30

1Co 14:30And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.

1Co 14:31

1Co 14:31For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.

1Co 14:32

1Co 14:32Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

1Co 14:33

1Co 14:33for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1Co 14:34

1Co 14:34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.

1Co 14:35

1Co 14:35If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

1Co 14:36

1Co 14:36Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?

1Co 14:37

1Co 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

1Co 14:38

1Co 14:38If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

1Co 14:39

1Co 14:39So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

1Co 14:40

1Co 14:40And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

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1 Corinthians 14 :: New English Translation (NET)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

Instruction for the Church

Pericope