1Corinthians 14:1 - Prayer Tents

Prophecy a Superior Gift

14EAGERLY 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 (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).G1377G26G1161G2206G4152G1161G3123G2443G4395

2For 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].G1063G2980G1100G2980G3756G444G235G2316G1063G3762G191G1161G4151G2980G3466

3But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who 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.G1161G4395G2980G444G3619G2532G3874G2532G3889

4He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies {and} improves himself, but he who prophesies [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].G2980G1100G3618G1438G1161G4395G3618G1577

5Now 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].G1161G2309G5209G3956G2980G1100G1161G3123G2443G4395G1063G3187G4395G2228G2980G1100G1622G1508G1329G2443G1577G2983G3619

6Now, 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?G1161G3570G80G1437G2064G4314G5209G2980G1100G5101G5623G5209G3362G2980G5213G2228G1722G602G2228G1722G1108G2228G1722G4394G2228G1722G1322

7If 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?G3676G895G1325G5456G1535G836G1535G2788G3362G1325G1293G5353G4459G1097G832G2228G2789

8And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?G1063G2532G1437G4536G1325G82G5456G5101G3903G1519G4171

9Just 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!G3779G2532G5210G3362G1325G1223G1100G3056G2154G4459G1097G2980G1063G2071G2980G1519G109

10There 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.G1487G2076G5177G5118G1085G5456G1722G2889G2532G3762G880G846

11But 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.G3767G3362G1492G3362G1411G5456G2071G2980G915G2532G2980G915G1722G1698

12So 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.G2532G3779G5210G1893G2075G2207G4151G2212G2443G4052G4314G3619G1577

13Therefore, the person who speaks in an [unknown] tongue should pray [for the power] to interpret {and} explain what he says.G1355G2980G1100G4336G2443G1329

14For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].G1063G1437G4336G1100G3450G4151G4336G1161G3450G3563G2076G175

15Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the 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.G5101G2076G3767G4336G4151G1161G4336G3563G2532G5567G4151G1161G5567G3563G2532

16Otherwise, if you bless {and} render thanks with [your] spirit [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? [I Chron. 16:36; Ps. 106:48.]G1893G1437G2127G4151G4459G378G5117G2399G2046G281G1909G4674G2169G1894G1492G3756G5101G3004

17To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly), but the bystander is not edified [it does him no good].G1063G4771G3303G2168G2573G235G2087G3618G3756G3618

18I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you {or} all of you put together;G2168G3450G2316G2980G1100G3123G5216G3956

19Nevertheless, 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).G235G1722G1577G2309G2980G4002G3056G1223G3450G3563G2443G2727G243G2532G2228G3463G3056G1722G1100

Instruction for the Church

20Brethren, do not be children [immature] in your thinking; continue to be babes in [matters of] evil, but in your minds be mature [men].G80G1096G3361G3813G5424G235G2549G3515G1161G5424G1096G5046

21It 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.G1722G3551G1125G3754G1722G2084G2532G1722G2087G5491G2980G5129G2992G2532G3779G1522G3761G1522G3450G3004G2962

22Thus [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.G5620G1100G1526G1519G4592G3756G4100G235G571G1161G4394G3756G571G235G4100

23Therefore, 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?G1437G3767G3650G1577G4905G1909G846G2532G3956G2980G1100G1161G1525G2399G2228G571G2046G3756G2046G3754G3105

24But 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,G1161G1437G3956G4395G1161G1525G5100G571G2228G2399G1651G5259G3956G350G5259G3956

25The 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.G2532G3779G1096G2927G846G2588G1096G5318G2532G3779G4098G1909G4383G4352G2316G518G3754G2316G2076G1722G5213G3689

26What 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.G5101G2076G3767G80G3752G4905G1538G5216G2192G5568G2192G1322G2192G1100G2192G602G2192G2058G1096G3956G1096G4314G3619

27If 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].G1535G5100G2980G1100G2596G1417G2228G4118G5140G2532G303G3313G2532G1329G1520G1329

28But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God.G1161G3362G5600G3362G1328G4601G1722G1577G1161G2980G1438G2532G2316

29So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention {and} weigh {and} discern what is said.G1161G2980G4396G2980G1417G2228G5140G2532G1252G243G1252

30But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent.G1161G1437G601G243G2521G4601G4413G4601

31For 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;G1063G1410G3956G4395G2596G1520G2443G3956G3129G2532G3956G3870

32For the spirits of the prophets (the speakers in tongues) are under the speaker's control [and subject to being silenced as may be necessary],G2532G4151G4396G5293G4396

33For 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),G1063G2316G2076G3756G181G235G1515G5613G1722G3956G1577G40

34The 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.G4601G5216G1135G4601G1722G1577G1063G2010G3756G2010G846G2980G235G5293G2531G2532G3004G3551

35But 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 [for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the church].G1161G1487G2309G3129G5100G1905G2398G435G1722G3624G1063G2076G149G1135G2980G1722G1577

36What! Did the word of the Lord originate with you [Corinthians], or has it reached only you?G2228G1831G3056G2316G1831G575G5216G2228G2658G1519G5209G3441

37If 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.G1536G1380G1511G4396G2228G4152G1921G3754G3739G1125G5213G1526G1785G2962

38But if anyone disregards {or} does not recognize [that it is a command of the Lord], he is disregarded {and} not recognized [he is one whom God knows not].G1161G1536G50G50

39So [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.G5620G80G2206G4395G2532G2967G3361G2980G1100

40But all things should be done with regard to decency {and} propriety and in an orderly fashion.G1096G3956G1096G2156G2532G2596G5010