Prophecy and Tongues 1 AKJV Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. BSB BSB: Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2 AKJV For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. BSB BSB: For 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.
3 AKJV But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. BSB BSB: But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4 AKJV He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. BSB BSB: The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 AKJV I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. BSB BSB: I 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.
6 AKJV Now, brothers, if I come to 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? BSB BSB: 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?
7 AKJV 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? BSB BSB: Even 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?
8 AKJV For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? BSB BSB: Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9 AKJV So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air. BSB BSB: 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 AKJV There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. BSB BSB: Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 AKJV Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me. BSB BSB: If, 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.
12 AKJV Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. BSB BSB: It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13 AKJV Why let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. BSB BSB: Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14 AKJV For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. BSB BSB: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 AKJV 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. BSB BSB: What 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.
16 AKJV Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say? BSB BSB: Otherwise, 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?
17 AKJV For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified. BSB BSB: You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
18 AKJV I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all: BSB BSB: I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 AKJV 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. BSB BSB: But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 AKJV Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men. BSB BSB: Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21 AKJV In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, says the LORD. BSB BSB: It 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.”
22 AKJV Why tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. BSB BSB: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23 AKJV 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 you are mad? BSB BSB: So 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?
24 AKJV But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: BSB BSB: But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
25 AKJV 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. BSB BSB: and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
Orderly Worship 26 AKJV How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying. BSB BSB: What 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.
27 AKJV 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. BSB BSB: If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28 AKJV But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. BSB BSB: But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
29 AKJV Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. BSB BSB: Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30 AKJV If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. BSB BSB: And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31 AKJV For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. BSB BSB: For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32 AKJV And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. BSB BSB: The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 AKJV For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. BSB BSB: For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
35 AKJV 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. BSB BSB: If 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.
36 AKJV What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only? BSB BSB: Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37 AKJV If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. BSB BSB: If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
38 AKJV But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. BSB BSB: But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 AKJV Why, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. BSB BSB: So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 AKJV Let all things be done decently and in order. BSB BSB: But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.