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Leviticus 13:1-16
English Standard Version
Leviticus 13:1-16
English Standard Version
Laws About Leprosy
13 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 “When a person has on the skin of his body a (A)swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous[a] disease on the skin of his body, (B)then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests, 3 and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. 4 But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, (C)the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days. 5 And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the (D)priest shall shut him up for another seven days. 6 And the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day, and if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only an eruption. And (E)he shall wash his clothes and be clean. 7 But if the eruption spreads in the skin, after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again before the priest. 8 And the priest shall look, and if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease.
9 “When a man is afflicted with a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest, 10 and the priest shall look. And if there is a (F)white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic leprous disease in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. (G)He shall not shut him up, for he is unclean. 12 And if the leprous disease breaks out in the skin, so that the leprous disease covers all the skin of the diseased person from head to foot, so far as the priest can see, 13 then the priest shall look, and if the leprous disease has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease; it has all turned white, and he is clean. 14 But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. 15 And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean. Raw flesh is unclean, for it is a leprous disease. 16 But if the raw flesh recovers and turns white again, then he shall come to the priest,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Leviticus 13:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases
Leviticus 13:1-16
New International Version
Leviticus 13:1-16
New International Version
Regulations About Defiling Skin Diseases
13 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “When anyone has a swelling(A) or a rash or a shiny spot(B) on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease,[a](C) they must be brought to Aaron the priest(D) or to one of his sons[b] who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean.(E) 4 If the shiny spot(F) on the skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to isolate the affected person for seven days.(G) 5 On the seventh day(H) the priest is to examine them,(I) and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to isolate them for another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine them again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce them clean;(J) it is only a rash. They must wash their clothes,(K) and they will be clean.(L) 7 But if the rash does spread in their skin after they have shown themselves to the priest to be pronounced clean, they must appear before the priest again.(M) 8 The priest is to examine that person, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce them unclean; it is a defiling skin disease.
9 “When anyone has a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to the priest. 10 The priest is to examine them, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease(N) and the priest shall pronounce them unclean. He is not to isolate them, because they are already unclean.
12 “If the disease breaks out all over their skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the affected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine them, and if the disease has covered their whole body, he shall pronounce them clean. Since it has all turned white, they are clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears on them, they will be unclean. 15 When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce them unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; they have a defiling disease.(O) 16 If the raw flesh changes and turns white, they must go to the priest.
Footnotes
- Leviticus 13:2 The Hebrew word for defiling skin disease, traditionally translated “leprosy,” was used for various diseases affecting the skin; here and throughout verses 3-46.
- Leviticus 13:2 Or descendants
1 Kings 22:29-53
English Standard Version
1 Kings 22:29-53
English Standard Version
Ahab Killed in Battle
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, (A)“I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31 Now the king of Syria had commanded (B)the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 But a certain man drew his bow at random[a] and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, (C)for I am wounded.” 35 And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 And about sunset a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, (D)according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and (E)the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.
Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
41 (F)Jehoshaphat the son of (G)Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 (H)He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet (I)the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 44 (J)Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written (K)in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 46 And from the land he exterminated the remnant (L)of the male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa.
47 (M)There was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made (N)ships of Tarshish to go to (O)Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at (P)Ezion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships,” but Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 (Q)And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.
Ahaziah Reigns in Israel
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab (R)began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. 52 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (S)and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 53 (T)He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger (U)in every way that his father had done.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Kings 22:34 Hebrew in his innocence
1 Kings 22:29-53
New International Version
1 Kings 22:29-53
New International Version
Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead(A)
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise,(B) but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
31 Now the king of Aram(C) had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king(D) of Israel.” 32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33 the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.
34 But someone drew his bow(E) at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 35 All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36 As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: “Every man to his town. Every man to his land!”(F)
37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. 38 They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed),[a] and the dogs(G) licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.
39 As for the other events of Ahab’s reign, including all he did, the palace he built and adorned with ivory,(H) and the cities he fortified, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 40 Ahab rested with his ancestors. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
Jehoshaphat King of Judah(I)
41 Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 43 In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa(J) and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places,(K) however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.[b] 44 Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46 He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes(L) who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. 47 There was then no king(M) in Edom; a provincial governor ruled.
48 Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships[c](N) to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail—they were wrecked at Ezion Geber.(O) 49 At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with yours,” but Jehoshaphat refused.
50 Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.
Ahaziah King of Israel
51 Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 52 He did evil(P) in the eyes of the Lord, because he followed the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53 He served and worshiped Baal(Q) and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father(R) had done.
Footnotes
- 1 Kings 22:38 Or Samaria and cleaned the weapons
- 1 Kings 22:43 In Hebrew texts this sentence (22:43b) is numbered 22:44, and 22:44-53 is numbered 22:45-54.
- 1 Kings 22:48 Hebrew of ships of Tarshish
Ezekiel 3:12-27
English Standard Version
Ezekiel 3:12-27
English Standard Version
12 (A)Then the Spirit[a] lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice[b] of (B)a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!” 13 It was the sound of the wings of (C)the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of (D)a great earthquake. 14 (E)The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the (F)hand of the Lord being strong upon me. 15 (G)And I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were dwelling (H)by the Chebar canal, and I sat where they were dwelling.[c] And (I)I sat there (J)overwhelmed among them (K)seven days.
A Watchman for Israel
16 (L)And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: 17 (M)“Son of man, (N)I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall (O)give them warning from me. 18 (P)If I say to the wicked, (Q)‘You shall surely die,’ (R)and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person (S)shall die for[d] his iniquity, (T)but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 (U)But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, (V)but you (W)will have delivered your soul. 20 (X)Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, (Y)and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. (Z)Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, (AA)and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, (AB)but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”
22 (AC)And the hand of the Lord was upon me there. And he said to me, “Arise, go out into (AD)the valley,[e] and (AE)there I will speak with you.” 23 So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, (AF)the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory that I had seen (AG)by the Chebar canal, (AH)and I fell on my face. 24 (AI)But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, “Go, shut yourself within your house. 25 And you, O son of man, behold, (AJ)cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that (AK)you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, (AL)for they are a rebellious house. 27 (AM)But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, (AN)‘Thus says the Lord God.’ (AO)He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezekiel 3:12 Or the wind; also verse 14
- Ezekiel 3:12 Or sound
- Ezekiel 3:15 Or Chebar, and to where they dwelt
- Ezekiel 3:18 Or in; also verses 19, 20
- Ezekiel 3:22 Or plain; also verse 23
Ezekiel 3:12-27
New International Version
Ezekiel 3:12-27
New International Version
12 Then the Spirit lifted me up,(A) and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing.[a] 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures(B) brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound.(C) 14 The Spirit(D) then lifted me up(E) and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord(F) on me. 15 I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River.(G) And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days(H)—deeply distressed.
Ezekiel’s Task as Watchman
16 At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me:(I) 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman(J) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.(K) 18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,(L)’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.(M) 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn(N) from their wickedness(O) or from their evil ways, they will die(P) for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.(Q)
20 “Again, when a righteous person turns(R) from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block(S) before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.(T) 21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.(U)”
22 The hand of the Lord(V) was on me there, and he said to me, “Get up and go(W) out to the plain,(X) and there I will speak to you.” 23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River,(Y) and I fell facedown.(Z)
24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me(AA) to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house.(AB) 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.(AC) 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof(AD) of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people.(AE) 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’(AF) Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.(AG)
Footnotes
- Ezekiel 3:12 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text sound—may the glory of the Lord be praised from his place
- Ezekiel 3:18 Or in; also in verses 19 and 20
Psalm 89:23-35
English Standard Version
Psalm 89:23-35
English Standard Version
23 I will (A)crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
24 My (B)faithfulness and my (C)steadfast love shall be with him,
and in my name shall his (D)horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand on (E)the sea
and his right hand on (F)the rivers.
26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my (G)Father,
my God, and (H)the Rock of my salvation.’
27 And I will make him the (I)firstborn,
(J)the highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
and my (K)covenant will stand firm[a] for him.
29 I will establish his (L)offspring forever
and his (M)throne as (N)the days of the heavens.
30 (O)If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,[b]
31 if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
32 then I will punish their transgression with (P)the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my (Q)covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
35 Once for all I have sworn (R)by my holiness;
I will not (S)lie to David.
Footnotes
- Psalm 89:28 Or will remain faithful
- Psalm 89:30 Or my just decrees
Psalm 89:23-35
New International Version
Psalm 89:23-35
New International Version
23 I will crush his foes before him(A)
and strike down his adversaries.(B)
24 My faithful love will be with him,(C)
and through my name his horn[a] will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand over the sea,
his right hand over the rivers.(D)
26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,(E)
my God, the Rock(F) my Savior.’(G)
27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,(H)
the most exalted(I) of the kings(J) of the earth.
28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail.(K)
29 I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the heavens endure.(L)
30 “If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,
31 if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
32 I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;(M)
33 but I will not take my love from him,(N)
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my covenant
or alter what my lips have uttered.(O)
35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
and I will not lie to David—
Footnotes
- Psalm 89:24 Horn here symbolizes strength.
Luke 5:12-26
English Standard Version
Luke 5:12-26
English Standard Version
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
12 While he was in one of the cities, (A)there came a man full of leprosy.[a] And when he saw Jesus, he (B)fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, (C)if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him (D)to tell no one, but “go and show (E)yourself to the priest, and (F)make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, (G)for a proof to them.” 15 (H)But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But (I)he would withdraw to desolate places and (J)pray.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and (K)teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And (L)the power of the Lord was with him to heal.[c] 18 (M)And behold, some men were bringing (N)on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on (O)the roof and let him down with his bed (P)through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And (Q)when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, (R)your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks (S)blasphemies? (T)Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus (U)perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that (V)the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, (W)glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they (X)glorified God and were filled (Y)with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 5:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
- Luke 5:13 Greek he
- Luke 5:17 Some manuscripts was present to heal them
Luke 5:12-26
New International Version
Luke 5:12-26
New International Version
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy(A)
12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a](B) When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone,(C) but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded(D) for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
15 Yet the news about him spread all the more,(E) so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.(F)
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man(G)
17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law(H) were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.(I) 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”(J)
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”(K)
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man(L) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.(M) They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Footnotes
- Luke 5:12 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
English Standard Version
Prophecy and Tongues
14 (A)Pursue love, and (B)earnestly desire the (C)spiritual gifts, especially that you may (D)prophesy. 2 For (E)one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but (F)even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers,[a] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some (G)revelation or knowledge or prophecy or (H)teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And (I)if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be (J)speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be (K)a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 20, 26, 39
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
New International Version
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
New International Version
Intelligibility in Worship
14 Follow the way of love(A) and eagerly desire(B) gifts of the Spirit,(C) especially prophecy.(D) 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a](E) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;(F) they utter mysteries(G) by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,(H) encouraging(I) and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue(J) edifies(K) themselves, but the one who prophesies(L) edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy.(M) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.(N)
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation(O) or knowledge(P) or prophecy or word of instruction?(Q) 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?(R) 9 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 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.(S) 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,(T) try to excel in those that build up(U) the church.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.