Prophecy and Tongues 1 CPDV Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy. BSB BSB: Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2 CPDV For whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God. For no one understands. Yet by 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 CPDV But whoever prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. BSB BSB: But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4 CPDV Whoever speaks in tongues edifies himself. But whoever prophesies edifies the Church. BSB BSB: The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 CPDV Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more so to prophesy. For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless perhaps he interprets, so that the Church may receive edification. 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 CPDV But now, brothers, if I were to come to you speaking in tongues, how would it benefit you, unless instead I speak to you in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in 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 CPDV Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string? 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 CPDV For example, if the trumpet made an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for battle? BSB BSB: Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9 CPDV So it is with you also, for unless you utter with the tongue in plain speech, how will it be known what is said? For then you would be speaking 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 CPDV Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice. BSB BSB: Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 CPDV Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner 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 CPDV So it is with you also. And since you are zealous for what is spiritual, seek the edification of the Church, so that you may abound. 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 CPDV For this reason, too, whoever speaks in tongues, let him pray for the interpretation. BSB BSB: Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14 CPDV So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit. BSB BSB: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 CPDV What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind. 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 CPDV Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an “Amen” to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying. 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 CPDV In this case, certainly, you give thanks well, but the other person is not edified. BSB BSB: You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
18 CPDV I thank my God that I speak in tongues for all of you. BSB BSB: I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 CPDV But in the Church, I prefer to speak five words from my mind, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues. BSB BSB: But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 CPDV Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds. BSB BSB: Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21 CPDV It is written in the law: “I will speak to this people with other tongues and other lips, and even so, they will not heed 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 CPDV And so, tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; and prophecies are not for unbelievers, but for believers. BSB BSB: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23 CPDV If then, the entire Church were to gather together as one, and if all were to speak in tongues, and then ignorant or unbelieving persons were to enter, would they not say that you were insane? 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 CPDV But if everyone prophesies, and one who is ignorant or unbelieving enters, he may be convinced by it all, because he understands it 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 CPDV The secrets of his heart are then made manifest. And so, falling to his face, he would adore God, proclaiming that God is truly among you. 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 CPDV What is next, brothers? When you gather together, each one of you may have a psalm, or a doctrine, or a revelation, or a language, or an interpretation, but let everything be done for edification. 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 CPDV If anyone is speaking in tongues, let there be only two, or at most three, and then in turn, and let someone interpret. BSB BSB: If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28 CPDV But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God. BSB BSB: But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
29 CPDV And let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. BSB BSB: Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30 CPDV But then, if something is revealed to another who is sitting, let the first one become silent. BSB BSB: And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31 CPDV For you are all able to prophesy one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged. BSB BSB: For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32 CPDV For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. BSB BSB: The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 CPDV And God is not of dissension, but of peace, just as I also teach in all the 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 CPDV And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in 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 CPDV So now, did the Word of God proceed from you? Or was it sent to you alone? BSB BSB: Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37 CPDV If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things 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 CPDV If anyone does not recognize these things, he should not be recognized. BSB BSB: But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 CPDV And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues. BSB BSB: So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 CPDV But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper 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.