Prophecy and Tongues 1 DRA Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy. BSB BSB: Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2 DRA For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh 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 DRA But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort. BSB BSB: But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4 DRA He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. BSB BSB: The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 DRA And 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. 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 DRA But 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? 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 DRA Even 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? 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 DRA 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 DRA So 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. 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 DRA There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice. BSB BSB: Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 DRA If 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. 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 DRA So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto 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 DRA And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret. BSB BSB: Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14 DRA For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit. BSB BSB: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 DRA What 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. 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 DRA Else 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. 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 DRA For thou indeed givest 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 DRA I thank my God I speak with all your tongues. BSB BSB: I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 DRA But 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. BSB BSB: But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 DRA Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect. BSB BSB: Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21 DRA In 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. 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 DRA Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers. BSB BSB: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23 DRA If 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? 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 DRA But 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. 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 DRA The 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. 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 DRA How 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. 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 DRA If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in 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 DRA But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and 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 DRA And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge. BSB BSB: Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30 DRA But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace. BSB BSB: And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31 DRA For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted: BSB BSB: For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32 DRA And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. BSB BSB: The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 DRA For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I 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 DRA But 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. 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 DRA Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you? BSB BSB: Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37 DRA If 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. 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 DRA But if any man know not, he shall not be known. BSB BSB: But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 DRA Wherefore, brethren, be zealous 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 DRA But let all things be done decently, and according to order. BSB BSB: But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.