1 Corinthians 14
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 14
Seek the Gifts That Build Up the Community.[a] 1 Make love your aim, but strive earnestly after the spiritual gifts, especially for that of prophecy. 2 If anyone speaks in tongues, he is speaking not to men but to God, and no one understands him, for he is speaking mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to men for their building up, their encouragement, and their consolation.
4 Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the Church. 5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would much prefer that you could prophesy. For the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless the latter can interpret what he is saying so that the Church may be built up.
6 Now suppose, brethren, that I should come to you and speak in tongues. Of what value would I be to you if you were unable to discern from my words any revelation or knowledge or prophecy or instruction? 7 Even inanimate things produce sound, such as a flute or a harp. If they do not produce distinct notes, how can anyone tell what tune is being played?
8 Or again, if the bugle call is unclear, who will get ready for battle? 9 Similarly, if you speak in tongues and your speech is unintelligible, how will anyone be able to understand what you are saying? For you will be talking to empty air.
10 There are many different languages that are used in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 But if I do not comprehend the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and he will be a foreigner to me. 12 Since you are eager to acquire spiritual gifts, try to excel in those that build up the Church.
13 Therefore, anyone who speaks in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind derives no benefit. 15 What then should 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 If you are praising only with the spirit, how will the uninstructed person who is present be able to answer “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not comprehend what you are saying? 17 Your thanksgiving may be inspiring, but the other person has not been edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you, 19 but when I am in the church I would prefer to speak five intelligible words to instruct others rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, do not be childish in your thinking. Be like infants in regard to evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law[b] it is written,
“By people speaking strange tongues
and by the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
and even so they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22 Clearly, then, tongues are intended as a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is designed not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 Therefore, if the whole Church has assembled and everyone is speaking in tongues, would not any uninstructed person or any unbeliever on entering conclude that you are all out of your minds? 24 However, if everyone is prophesying and an unbeliever or uninstructed person should enter, he would be reproved by all and judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart would be revealed. Then he would fall down and worship God, declaring, “God is truly in your midst.”
26 Let Everything Be Done Properly and in an Orderly Fashion. And so, what then should be done, brethren? When you assemble, each of you should bring a psalm or some lesson or a revelation, or speak in a tongue, or offer an interpretation. Everything should be done with the goal in mind of building up. 27 If any of you speak in a tongue, let only two or at most three come forward, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If no one is available to interpret, let those who speak in tongues be silent in the church and speak only to themselves and to God.
29 As for the prophets, let two or three speak, and let the rest weigh their words. 30 Should a revelation be made to someone else who is sitting there, let the one who is speaking stop. 31 You can all prophesy, but one at a time, so that all may receive instruction and encouragement. 32 Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to their prophets’ control, 33 for God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the Churches of the saints, 34 [c]women are to keep silent at the assemblies. For they are not permitted to speak, since the Law asserts that they are to be subordinate. 35 If there is anything they wish to know, they should ask their husbands at home. It is improper for them to speak in the church.
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones to whom it has come? 37 Anyone who claims to be a prophet or to have spiritual powers must recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord. 38 Anyone who does not acknowledge this should be ignored.
39 Therefore, brethren, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But ensure that everything is done properly and in an orderly fashion.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 The Corinthians aimed especially at a spectacular gift that Paul calls the gift of tongues. The reference is to a type of ecstatic prayer: the inspired person speaks in the midst of the assembly, using incomprehensible words, in a kind of religious rapture; he or she sings the praises of God, either in foreign languages that an inspired interpreter can translate, or by repeating litanies of hardly articulated words, without any order, in a state of ecstasy.
In v. 14, Paul contrasts “spirit” and “mind”: the spirit is the innermost part of the soul, where the Holy Spirit acts in mysterious ways; the mind is the soul insofar as it reflects and analyzes itself; it is the level, that is, of self-consciousness and the communication of thought.
When inspiration disregards the mind, the way is opened to enthusiasm and disorder, instead of fraternal exchanges and communion. - 1 Corinthians 14:21 In the Law: i.e., the Old Testament; see Rom 3:10-19 where Paul cites a number of passages from the Old Testament and then calls them “the Law” in v. 19.
- 1 Corinthians 14:34 Paul is not against women speaking in church (see 1 Cor 11:5). He is against women speaking in a disorderly manner in church.
1 Corinthians 14
New King James Version
Prophecy and Tongues
14 Pursue love, and (A)desire spiritual gifts, (B)but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who (C)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks (D)edification and (E)exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
Tongues Must Be Interpreted
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by (F)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without [b]significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [c]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are [d]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [e]edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may (G)interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. (H)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing (I)with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” (J)at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers
20 Brethren, (K)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice (L)be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21 (M)In the law it is written:
(N)“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a (O)sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, (P)will they not say that you are [f]out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 [g]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report (Q)that God is truly among you.
Order in Church Meetings
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, (R)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. (S)Let all things be done for [h]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and (T)let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, (U)let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And (V)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [i]confusion but of peace, (W)as in all the churches of the saints.
34 (X)Let [j]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the (Y)law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 (Z)If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But [k]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brethren, (AA)desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 (AB)Let all things be done decently and in order.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 NU and
- 1 Corinthians 14:10 meaning
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Lit. barbarian
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up
- 1 Corinthians 14:23 insane
- 1 Corinthians 14:25 NU omits And thus
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 building up
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder
- 1 Corinthians 14:34 NU omits your
- 1 Corinthians 14:38 NU if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
1 e Korintasve 14
Albanian Bible
14 Kërkoni dashurinë dhe lypni me zemër të zjarrtë dhuntitë frymërore, por sidomos që të mund të profetizoni,
2 sepse ai që flet një gjuhë tjetër nuk u flet njerëzve, por Perëndisë; sepse askush nuk e kupton, por ai në frymë flet mistere.
3 Kurse ai që profetizon, u flet njerëzve për ndërtim, për nxitje e përdëllim.
4 Ai që flet një gjuhë tjetër ndërton veten e tij, por ai që profetizon, ndërton kishën.
5 Unë dua që të gjithë ju të flisnit gjuhëra, por më tepër të profetizonit, sepse ai që profetizon është më i madh nga ai që flet gjuhëra, veçse në interpretoftë, që të marrë ndërtim kisha.
6 Dhe tani, o vëllezër, po të vija e t’ju flisja në gjuhë, ç’dobi do të kishit, po të mos ju flisja me anë të zbulesës, a me njohuri, a me profeci, a me mësim?
7 Edhe gjërat që nuk kanë shpirt dhe nxjerrin zë, fyelli ose qestja, po të mos japin zë të dallueshëm, si do të njihet të rënit e fyellit ose e qestes?
8 Sepse, po të japë buria një tingull të panjohur, kush do të përgatitet për betejë?
9 Kështu edhe ju, në qoftë se me gjuhën tuaj nuk flisni fjalë të kuptueshme, si do të kuptohet çfarë u tha? Sepse do të flisnit në erë.
10 Ka nuk e di se sa lloje zërash në botë, dhe asnjë prej tyre nuk është pa kuptim.
11 Pra, në qoftë se unë nuk e marr vesh kuptimin e zërit, do të jem si një i huaj për atë që flet, dhe ai që flet do të jetë një i huaj për mua.
12 Kështu edhe ju, mbasi doni fort të keni dhunti frymërore, kërkoni që t’i keni të bollshme për ndërtimin e kishës.
13 Prandaj ai që flet një gjuhë tjetër, le të lutet që të mund ta interpretojë,
14 sepse, në qoftë se unë lutem në një gjuhë tjetër, fryma im lutet, por mendja ime është e pafrytshme.
15 Po atëherë? Do të lutem me frymën, por do ta bëj edhe me mendjen; do të këndoj me frymën, por do të këndoj edhe me mendjen.
16 Me fjalë të tjera, në qoftë se ti e lavdëron Perëndinë me frymën, ai që zë vendin e profanët, si do të thotë "amen" për falënderimin tënd, kur nuk merr vesh ç’po thua?
17 Sepse ti edhe mund të falënderosh mirë, por tjetri nuk ndërtohet.
18 Unë e falënderoj Perëndinë time, sepse flas më shumë në gjuhë se ju të gjithë.
19 Por në asamble parapëlqej të them pesë fjalë me mënçurinë time për mësimin e të tjerëve se dhjetë mijë fjalë në gjuhë tjetër.
20 Vëllezër, mos u bëni kalamaj nga mendja, por bëhuni foshnje për të ligën, dhe burra të pjekur nga mendja.
21 Në ligj është shkruar: “Unë do t’i flas këtij populli në gjuhë të huaja dhe me buzë të tjera, por as kështu nuk do të më dëgjojnë,” thotë Zoti.
22 Prandaj gjuhët janë një shenjë jo për ata që besojnë, por për jobesimtarë, kurse profecia nuk është për jobesimtarë, po për besimtarë.
23 Pra, në qoftë se, kur gjithë kisha është mbledhur në një vend, të gjithë flasin gjuhëra dhe hyjnë profanë ose jobesimtarë, a nuk do të thonë se ju kanë dalë mendtë?
24 Por, në qoftë se profetizojnë të gjithë dhe hyn një jobesimtar ose një profan, ai bindet nga të gjithë dhe gjykohet nga të gjithë.
25 Dhe kështu të fshehtat e zemrës së tij zbulohen; edhe kështu, duke rënë me faqe përmbys, do të adhurojë Perëndinë, duke deklaruar se Perëndia është me të vërtetë midis jush.
26 Ç’duhet bërë, pra, o vëllezër? Kur të mblidheni, secili nga ju ka një psalm, një mësim, fjalim në gjuhë tjetër, zbulesë, interpretim, çdo gjë le të bëhet për ndërtim.
27 Nëse ndonjë flet në gjuhë tjetër, le të bëhet kjo nga dy a më të shumtën tre vetë dhe njeri pas tjetrit, dhe një le të interpretojë.
28 Por nëse nuk ka iterpretues, le të heshtë në kishë dhe le të flasë me veten e tij dhe me Perëndinë.
29 Le të flasin dy a tre profetë, dhe të tjerët të gjykojnë.
30 Por nëse ka një zbulesë ndonjë tjetër që rri ulur, le të heshtë i pari.
31 Sepse të gjithë, njeri pas tjetrit, mund të profetizojnë, që të mësojnë të gjithë dhe të inkurajohen të gjithë.
32 Frymërat e profetëve u nënshtrohen profetëve,
33 sepse Perëndia nuk është Perëndi trazimi, por paqtimi si në të gjitha kishat e shenjtorëve.
34 Gratë tuaja të heshtin në kishë, sepse nuk u lejohet të flasin, por duhet të nënshtrohen, sikurse thotë edhe ligji.
35 Dhe në qoftë se duan të mësojnë ndonjë gjë, le të pyesin burrat e tyre në shtëpi, sepse është e turpshme për gratë të flasin në kishë.
36 Prej jush doli fjala e Perëndisë? Apo vetëm te ju arriti?
37 Në qoftë se dikush mendon se është profet ose frymëror, le të njohë se ato që po ju shkruaj janë urdhërime të Zotit.
38 Dhe nëse dikush është i paditur, le të jetë i paditur.
39 Prandaj, o vëllezër të mi, kërkoni me zemër të zjarrtë të profetizoni dhe mos ndaloni të flasin në gjuhëra.
40 Por të gjitha të bëhen sikur ka hije dhe me rregullsi.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
