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14 Pursue diōkō · ho love agapē, and de earnestly desire zēloō the ho spiritual pneumatikos gifts , but de especially mallon that hina you may prophesy prophēteuō. For gar the ho one speaking laleō in a tongue glōssa speaks laleō not ou to men anthrōpos but alla to God theos; indeed gar, no one oudeis understands akouō him, yet de he is speaking laleō mysteries mystērion by the Spirit pneuma. On the other hand de, the ho one who prophesies prophēteuō speaks laleō to people anthrōpos for their edification oikodomē, · kai encouragement paraklēsis, and kai consolation paramythia. The ho one who speaks laleō in a tongue glōssa edifies oikodomeō himself heautou, but de the ho one who prophesies prophēteuō edifies oikodomeō the church ekklēsia. Now de I would like thelō all pas of you hymeis to speak laleō in tongues glōssa, but de even more mallon to hina prophesy prophēteuō. The ho one who prophesies prophēteuō is greater megas · de than ē the ho one who speaks laleō in tongues glōssa, unless ektos ei he interprets diermēneuō so that hina the ho church ekklēsia may receive lambanō edification oikodomē.

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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.

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Footnotes

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