1 Corinthians 14
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
Berean Standard Bible
1Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.
1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.
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.
3But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.
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.
6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?
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?
7Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
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?
8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall 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, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.
10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian 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 you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of 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.
13And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him 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 prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.
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.
16Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.
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 thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
18I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; 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.
20Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.
20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith 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.”
22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to 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 come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?
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 there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of 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 made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.
25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
26How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.
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 with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the 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.
29And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach 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.
34Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.
34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the 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 did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?
36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments 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.
38But if any man know not, he shall not be known.
38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.
39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40But let all things be done decently, and according to order.
40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
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