Totally Free Bible Version

Return to TFBV Index

1 Corinthians 14

¹Pursue love. Be zealous about spiritual things, but even more that you might prophesy. ²For the person who speaks in a tongue doesn't speak to people, but to God, because nobody can understand. Rather, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. ³But the person who prophesies speaks words that build, encourage, and console. ⁴The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds the church. ⁵I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you could prophesy, because the one who prophesies is greater than the one speaking in tongues, unless there is someone to interpret, so that the church can receive a constructive (building) message.

⁶But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good is it to you unless I speak some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching? ⁷Similarly, when musical instruments are played, whether a flute or a harp, how can one distinguish what is being played unless the notes are played distinctly? ⁸For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for war? ⁹Thus also in your case, when you speak in a tongue that is not intelligible, how can anyone understand what is said? You're speaking to the air! ¹⁰There are many different sounds in the world, and none of them are without some intent. ¹¹So if I don't understand the intent of the sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking and the one speaking will be like a barbarian to me. ¹²It's the same way in your case, since you are zealous for spiritual things, aim to grow in a way that builds up the church. ¹³So let the one who speaks in tongues pray that he might interpret. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is not fruitful. ¹⁵So what shall I do? I will pray in the (my) spirit, but I will also pray in my mind. I will sing in the (my) spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. ¹⁶Because if you praising in the spirit, how will the one who doesn't know what's going on be able to say, "Amen!" to the praise, since he doesn't know what you've said? ¹⁷You may have been praising quite well, but the other person is not built up. ¹⁸I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹But in the church I would rather say five words with my mind, so that others could lean, than 10,000 words in a tongue.

²⁰Brothers and sisters, Don't be children in your thinking, but be babes in terms of evil; with your minds be mature. ²¹It is written in the law:

In other tongues
and with other sounds
I will speak to this people
And thus they will not listen to me,
says the Lord. ²²Thus tongues are a sign not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe, but prophecy is a sign not to the unbelievers, but to the believers. ²³If then the whole congregation comes together, and all of you speak in tongues, and someone unacquainted with you, or an unbeliever comes in, won't he say that you are crazy? ²⁴But if you are all prophesying, and an unbeliever or a person unacquainted with you comes in, he'll be rebuked by all and examined by all, ²⁵the hidden things of his heart will become open, and thus he will fall on his face and worship God, proclaiming, "Surely God is among you!"

Order

²⁶So what then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, something in a tongue, an interpretation. Let everything be done for building! ²⁷If someone speaks in a tongue, let them do it by turn, two or at the most three, and let one interpret. ²⁸But if there is no interpreter, let that person keep silent in the congregation, and let him speak to God by himself. ²⁹As for prophets, let two or three speak, and let the others discern. ³⁰But if something is revealed to another who is sitting down, the first one needs to stop speaking. ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone can learn and be encouraged. ³²And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ³³For there is no rebellion with God, but rather peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴Let the women be silent in the congregation. For it is not appropriate for them to speak, but rather to be in submission, just as the law says. ³⁵And if women want to learn, let each ask her own husband at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in the congregation. ³⁶ (Or did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it's gotten to?)

³⁷If anyone claims to be a protphet or a spiritual person, he should acknowledge the things I am writing, because they are a command of the Lord. ³⁸And if anyone ignores it, let him be ignored! ³⁹So, my brothers and sisters, be zealous to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰Let everything be done properly and in good order.

Average revision: 3 (Draft # 1 by individual translator)