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1 Corinthians 14

Darby Translation · 40 verses

1Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual [manifestations], but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But he that prophesies speaks to men [in] edification, and encouragement, and consolation. 4He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies [the] assembly. 5Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification. 6And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching? 7Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war? 9Thus also ye with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air. 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of undistinguishable sound. 11If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me. 12Thus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly. 13Wherefore let him that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing also with the understanding. 16Since otherwise, if thou blessest with [the] spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple [Christian] say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest? 17For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank God I speak in a tongue more than all of you: 19but in [the] assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, [rather] than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men]. 21It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord. 22So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe. 23If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple [persons] enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple [person] come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all; 25the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon [his] face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you. 26What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each [of you] has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. 27If any one speak with a tongue, [let it be] two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret; 28but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in [the] assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30But if there be a revelation to another sitting [there], let the first be silent. 31For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not [a God] of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. 34Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says. 35But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly. 36Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? 37If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment. 38But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39So that, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid the speaking with tongues. 40But let all things be done comelily and with order.

Darby's Synopsis

Believers therefore were to follow after and seek for love, while desiring gifts, especially that they might prophesy, because thus they would edify the assembly, and that was the thing to aim at; it was that which love desired and sought, it was that which intelligence required, the two marks of a man in Christ, of one to whom Christ is all.

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Text: J. N. Darby, The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation from the Original Languages, public domain. Emphasized words are Darby's own. Provenance on the sources page.