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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 14 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_corinthians/14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_corinthians/14-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NIV</a> > 1 Corinthians 14</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../1_corinthians/13.htm" title="1 Corinthians 13">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 14 <a href="../1_corinthians/15.htm" title="1 Corinthians 15">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/1_corinthians/14.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">Intelligibility in Worship</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>For anyone who speaks in a tongue <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27">a</a></sup></span> does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39">b</a></sup></span> but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39">c</a></sup></span> unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Now, 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? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Even 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? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>So 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>If 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>So 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="The Greek word for inquirer is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24.">d</a></sup></span> say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>In the Law it is written:</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1">“With other tongues</p><p class="line2">and through the lips of foreigners</p><p class="line1">I will speak to this people,</p><p class="line2">but even then they will not listen to me,</p><p class="attribution">says the Lord.” <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Isaiah 28:11,12">e</a></sup></span> </p></div> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>So 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? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”</p> <p class="sectionhead">Good Order in Worship</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>What 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Women <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord's people, 34 women">f</a></sup></span> should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>If 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. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.">g</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>If 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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some manuscripts But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant">h</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">2</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>in another language</i>; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">5</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>in other languages</i>; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">5</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>in other languages</i>; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">16</span> <span class="footnotebot">The Greek word for <i>inquirer</i> is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24.</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">e</span> <span class="fnverse">21</span> <span class="footnotebot">Isaiah 28:11,12</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">f</span> <span class="fnverse">34</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, <span class="fnref">34</span>women</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">g</span> <span class="fnverse">35</span> <span class="footnotebot">In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">h</span> <span class="fnverse">38</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some manuscripts <i>But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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