| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. | 1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. |
| 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. | 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. |
| 3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. | 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. |
| 4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. | 4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. |
| 5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. | 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. |
| 6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? | 6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? |
| 7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? | 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? |
| 8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? | 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? |
| 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. | 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. |
| 10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. | 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. |
| 11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. | 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. |
| 12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. | 12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. |
| 13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. | 13For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. |
| 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. | 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. |
| 15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. | 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. |
| 16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? | 16Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? |
| 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified. | 17You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. |
| 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. | 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. |
| 19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. | 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. |
| 20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. | 20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. |
| 21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” | 21In the Law it is written: "With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." |
| 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. | 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. |
| 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? | 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? |
| 24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, | 24But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, |
| 25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!” | 25as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" |
| 26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church. | 26What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. |
| 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. | 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. |
| 28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. | 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. |
| 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. | 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. |
| 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. | 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. |
| 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. | 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. |
| 32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. | 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. |
| 33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints. | 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people. |
| 34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. | 34Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. |
| 35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. | 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. |
| 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? | 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? |
| 37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. | 37If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. |
| 38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. | 38But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. |
| 39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. | 39Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. |
| 40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner. | 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. |
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