Add parallel Print Page Options

Prophecy and Tongues

14 (A)Pursue love, yet (B)earnestly desire (C)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (D)prophesy. For one who (E)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one [a]understands, but [b]in his spirit he speaks (F)mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for (G)edification and (H)exhortation and encouragement. One who (I)speaks in a tongue (J)edifies himself; but one who (K)prophesies (L)edifies the church. But I wish that you all (M)spoke in tongues, but (N)even more that you would prophesy. And greater is one who prophesies than one who (O)speaks in tongues, unless he [c]translates, so that the church may receive (P)edification.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Lit hears
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or interprets

Prophecy and Languages

14 Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy. For the person who speaks in a foreign[a] language is not actually speaking to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands him, because he is talking about secrets by the Spirit.[b] But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort. The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church. Now I wish that all of you could speak in foreign languages, but especially that you could prophesy. The person who prophesies is more important than the person who speaks in a foreign language, unless he interprets it so that the church may be built up.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 The Gk. lacks foreign; and so throughout 14:39
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or with his spirit