1 Corinthians 14

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Pursue love passionately, crave for spiritual blessings, but above all, aspire to spread divine wisdom.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

When someone speaks in a language no one understands, they're not talking to people, but to God. No one can comprehend them, yet they're expressing profound secrets through their spirit.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people, uplifting them, encouraging them, and providing comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

When you speak in a language no one understands, you're only helping yourself. But when you prophesy, you're helping the entire community.

I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

I wish you all could speak in different languages, but I'd prefer if you could prophesy, sharing God's message. The one who prophesies is more important than the one who speaks different languages, unless he can explain it, so that the church can learn and grow.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Dear friends, if I visit you and speak in languages you don't understand, how will it benefit you? It's only useful if I bring you insights, knowledge, a message from God, or teachings, right?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

Even inanimate objects that make noise, like flutes or harps, must produce clear, distinct sounds. Otherwise, how can we tell what tune is being played?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

If the trumpet's call is unclear, who will be ready for the fight?

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

Simply put, if you don't speak clearly and understandably, how will anyone know what you're saying? You might as well be talking to thin air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

In this world, countless unique voices exist, each carrying its own meaningful message.

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

If I don't understand what someone is saying, it's like we're both speaking in a foreign language to each other.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Just as you passionately seek spiritual gifts, strive to use them to uplift and strengthen your church community.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

If you're speaking in a language others don't understand, pray for the ability to explain it to them.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

When I pray in a language I don't understand, my soul is speaking, but my mind can't comprehend.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

So, what's my approach? I'll pray, deeply connected to my spirit and with clear comprehension. I'll sing, filled with spiritual passion and also with full understanding.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

If you pray in a way that's hard to understand, how can someone who doesn't know much about faith agree with your prayer of gratitude, when they don't comprehend your words?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Indeed, you express gratitude beautifully, but it doesn't uplift others.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

I am deeply grateful to my God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

In church, I'd prefer to speak five words that I understand and can use to teach others, rather than utter ten thousand words in a language no one knows.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

My dear friends, don't be naive in your knowledge. Stay innocent when it comes to wrongdoing, but be mature in your wisdom.

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the LORD.

The law says, "I, the LORD, will communicate with people in different languages and ways. Yet, despite this, they still won't listen to me."

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

So speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers, not for those already faithful. Yet prophecy is meant for believers, not for unbelievers.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

If everyone in the church gathers in one place, speaking in different languages, and outsiders or skeptics enter, won't they think you've lost your minds?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

If everyone shares God's word and a non-believer or someone uninstructed walks in, he will be convicted of his sin by all he hears and called to account by everyone.

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

The hidden depths of his heart are revealed. Overwhelmed, he falls to his knees in worship, truly recognizing God's presence within you.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

So, my dear friends, when we gather, each of us brings something unique - a song, a teaching, a language, a divine insight, or an understanding. Let's use these gifts to uplift and build each other up.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

If someone speaks in a language not understood by all, let only two or three at most take turns speaking, and have someone translate.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

If there's no one to translate, stay quiet in church. Speak only to yourself and God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Allow two or three prophets to share their insights, while the others weigh what is said.

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

If someone nearby receives a revelation, the first person should respectfully remain silent.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Everyone should take turns sharing their prophecies, so everyone can learn and find comfort.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

The prophets have control over their own spiritual insights.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

God doesn't create chaos, but harmony, as in all the churches of God's people.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law also says.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

If women want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

Did God's message originate from you? Or was it meant for you alone?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

If anyone considers themselves a prophet or spiritually inclined, they should recognize that my words to you are the divine instructions from the Lord.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

If someone chooses to remain unaware, let them stay that way.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Dear brothers and sisters, yearn to share God's word and never hinder others from expressing their faith in different languages.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Ensure everything is carried out with respect and organization.