1 Corinthians

Addresses issues in the Corinthian church, teaching on unity, love, and resurrection.

Chapter 14

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

*Pursue giving to others and wish for spiritual abilities, but mainly so you can predict or share messages from a higher power.

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

*When someone speaks in a language that others don't understand, they are talking to God and not to people. This is because nobody can comprehend what they're saying, but it's still a way of sharing deep secrets through spiritual communication.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

*But the one who prophesies speaks to people to build them up, encourage them, and comfort them.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

*Whoever speaks in a language not understood builds themselves up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

*I want everyone to speak in different languages, but I prefer if you can predict future events or share helpful messages. This is more important than just speaking in languages unless you can also translate it, so the church can benefit and grow.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

*Now, friends, if I come to you speaking in unknown languages, how will that help you unless I also share a message through revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching?

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

*If objects that don't have life, like pipes or harps, make sounds without differences, how can we tell what is being played on the pipe or harp?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

*If the trumpet's warning is unclear, who can get ready for the fight?

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

*In the same way, unless you say things simply with your mouth, how will others understand what you're saying? Because if you don't, you'll just be talking to the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

*There could be many different sounds in the world, and each one has a meaning.

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

*So if I don't understand what is being said, the person speaking will seem like a foreigner to me, and I will also seem like a foreigner to them.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

*So you, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to be better at building up the church.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

*So, if someone speaks in a language not understood, they should pray to be able to explain it clearly.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

*If I pray in a language I don't understand, my spirit prays, but my mind doesn't benefit.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

*So what does it mean? I'll pray using my feelings and also understand what I'm saying. I'll sing the same way, with feelings and understanding.

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

*If you bless using the Spirit, how will the person who fills the role of someone uneducated say "Amen" when you give thanks, since they don't understand what you are saying?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

*You truly give thanks well, but the other person isn't helped or built up.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

*I am grateful to God, and I can talk in different languages better than everyone else here.

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

*I prefer to speak just five clear words in church using my own language, so I can teach others, rather than saying ten thousand words in a language nobody understands.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

*Dear friends, don't act like you are still kids when it comes to understanding things. But please, don't be naughty like kids; instead, think and understand things like grown-ups do.

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the LORD.

*The verse says, "God's law states that He will communicate with this people through those who speak different languages and have different mouths. However, even though He does this, they still won't listen, claims the Lord."

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

*Tongues are a sign for those who don't believe, not for those who do. Prophecy helps those who believe, not those who don't.

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

*If the entire church gathers in one spot and everyone speaks in different languages, and people who don't know much or don't believe come in, won't they think you're crazy?

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

*But if everyone prophesies and someone unbelieving or uneducated comes, they are convinced by everyone and judged by everyone.

25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

*In this way, the person's heart secrets are revealed. Then, they fall down, facing the ground, to worship God. They say that God is truly inside you.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

*So, what about this then, friends? When you all gather together, each of you has a song, teaches something, speaks in a foreign language, shares a special message, and explains it. Everything should be done to build each other up.

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

*If someone speaks in a language not understood, let it be only two or three people, taking turns, and have someone to translate.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

*If there's no translator, the person should be quiet in church. They can talk to themselves and God instead.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

*Let a few prophets talk, and let the others decide.

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

*If something is shown to someone sitting nearby, the person who saw it first should keep quiet.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

*So everyone can share their messages from God, one at a time, so everyone can understand and feel better.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

*Prophet spirits listen to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

*God doesn't cause chaos; instead, He brings peace to all churches of believers.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

*In church, women should be quiet and obey, because they're not allowed to talk; this is what the law says too.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

*If women want to learn something, they should ask their husbands at home because it's not right for women to talk in church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

*Did God's message really come from you, or did it just reach you?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

*If someone believes they're a prophet or spiritual, they should agree that the words I write to you are the Lord's commands.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

*But if someone doesn't know, let them not know.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

*So, friends, desire to have the gift of prophecy and don't stop people from speaking in different languages.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

*Do everything properly and organized.

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