1 Corinthians 14:1-5
New American Standard Bible
Prophecy a Superior Gift
14 (A)Pursue love, yet earnestly (B)desire (C)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (D)prophesy. 2 For the one who (E)speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one [a]understands, but [b]in his spirit he speaks (F)mysteries. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for (G)edification, [c](H)exhortation, and consolation. 4 The one who (I)speaks in a tongue (J)edifies himself; but the one who (K)prophesies (L)edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all (M)spoke in tongues, but (N)rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who (O)speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive (P)edification.
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- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Lit hears
- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 Or encouragement
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
International Standard Version
Prophecy and Languages
14 Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy. 2 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] 3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort. 4 The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church. 5 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.
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- 1 Corinthians 14:2 The Gk. lacks foreign; and so throughout 14:39
- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or with his spirit
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