14 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (^[a]interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

² For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

³ But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who ^[b]interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.

⁴ He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, but he who prophesies [^[c]interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, and happiness].

⁵ Now I wish that you might all speak in [unknown] tongues, but more especially [I want you] to prophesy (to be inspired to preach and interpret the divine will and purpose). He who prophesies [who is inspired to preach and teach] is greater (more useful and more important) than he who speaks in [unknown] tongues, unless he should interpret [what he says], so that the church may be edified and receive good [from it].

⁶ Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in [unknown] tongues, how shall I make it to your advantage unless I speak to you either in revelation (disclosure of God’s will to man) in knowledge or in prophecy or in instruction?

⁷ If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone [listening] know or understand what is played?

⁸ And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?

⁹ Just so it is with you; if you in the [unknown] tongue speak words that are not intelligible, how will anyone understand what you are saying? For you will be talking into empty space!

¹⁰ There are, I suppose, all these many [to us unknown] tongues in the world [somewhere], and none is destitute of [its own power of] expression and meaning.

¹¹ But if I do not know the force and significance of the speech (language), I shall seem to be a foreigner to the one who speaks [to me], and the speaker who addresses [me] will seem a foreigner to me.

¹² So it is with yourselves; since you are so eager and ambitious to possess spiritual endowments and manifestations of the [Holy] Spirit, [concentrate on] striving to excel and to abound [in them] in ways that will build up the church.

¹³ Therefore, the person who speaks in an [unknown] tongue should pray [for the power] to interpret and explain what he says.

¹⁴ For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the ^[d]Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].

¹⁵ Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the ^[e]Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.

¹⁶ Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit [^[f]thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit], how can anyone in the position of an outsider or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?^(A)

¹⁷ To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly), but the bystander is not edified [it does him no good].

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together;

¹⁹ Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a [strange] tongue (language).

²⁰ Brethren, do not be children [immature] in your thinking; continue to be babes in [matters of] evil, but in your minds be mature [men].

²¹ It is written in the Law, By men of strange languages and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me, says the Lord.^(B)

²² Thus [unknown] tongues are meant for a [supernatural] sign, not for believers but for unbelievers [on the point of believing], while prophecy (inspired preaching and teaching, interpreting the divine will and purpose) is not for unbelievers [on the point of believing] but for believers.

²³ Therefore, if the whole church assembles and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and the ungifted and uninitiated or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are demented?

²⁴ But if all prophesy [giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose] and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is told of his sin and reproved and convicted and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined (estimated, determined) and he is called to account by all,

²⁵ The secrets of his heart are laid bare; and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth.

²⁶ What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.

²⁷ If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said].

²⁸ But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God.

²⁹ So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said.

³⁰ But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent.

³¹ For in this way you can give testimony [prophesying and thus interpreting the divine will and purpose] one by one, so that all may be instructed and all may be stimulated and encouraged;

³² For the spirits of the prophets (the speakers in tongues) are under the speaker’s control [and subject to being silenced as may be necessary],

³³ For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

³⁴ The women should keep quiet in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but should take a secondary and subordinate place, just as the Law also says.^(C)

³⁵ But if there is anything they want to learn, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church [^[g]for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the church].

³⁶ What! Did the word of the Lord originate with you [Corinthians], or has it reached only you?

³⁷ If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [filled with and governed by the Holy Spirit of God and inspired to interpret the divine will and purpose in preaching or teaching] or has any other spiritual endowment, let him understand (recognize and acknowledge) that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

³⁸ But if anyone disregards or does not recognize [^[h]that it is a command of the Lord], he is disregarded and not recognized [he is ^[i]one whom God knows not].

³⁹ So [to conclude], my brethren, earnestly desire and set your hearts on prophesying (on being inspired to preach and teach and to interpret God’s will and purpose), and do not forbid or hinder speaking in [unknown] tongues.

⁴⁰ But all things should be done with regard to decency and propriety and in an orderly fashion.

3 My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

² For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.

³ Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.^(A)

⁴ So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.^(B)

⁵ Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

⁶ In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.^(C)

⁸ It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;^(D)

¹⁰ So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.^(E)

¹¹ My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof,^(F)

¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God’s Word and life’s experiences],

¹⁴ For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.

¹⁵ Skillful and godly ^[a]Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.^(G)

¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.^(H)

¹⁷ Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

¹⁹ The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens.^(I)

²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distill the dew.

²¹ My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion,

²² And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).

²³ Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble.^(J)

²⁴ When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless],

²⁶ For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].

²⁷ Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it.^(K)

²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it—when you have it with you.^(L)

²⁹ Do not contrive or dig up or cultivate evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly and confidently beside you.

³⁰ Contend not with a man for no reason—when he has done you no wrong.^(M)

³¹ Do not resentfully envy and be jealous of an unscrupulous, grasping man, and choose none of his ways.^(N)

³² For the perverse are an abomination [extremely disgusting and detestable] to the Lord; but His confidential communion and secret counsel are with the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him).^(O)

³³ The curse of the Lord is in and on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous.^(P)

³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted.^(Q)

³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools.^(R)

4 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters].

² For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching.

³ When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba],

⁴ He taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.^(S)

⁵ Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.

⁶ Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

⁷ The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).^(T)

⁸ Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

⁹ She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you.

¹⁰ Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many.

¹¹ I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

¹² When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

¹³ Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

¹⁴ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

¹⁵ Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on.

¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble or vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall.

¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].^(U)

¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.^(V)

²⁰ My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.

²¹ Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.

²² For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.

²³ Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

²⁴ Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you.

²⁵ Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.

²⁶ Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.

²⁷ Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.